Today I am going to review Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque , one
of my favorite place in Abu Dhabi
As soon as Abu
Dhabi
At the Grand Mosque complex there is ample parking. If you
are visiting in winter then visiting in day time is fine otherwise I will
suggest you to visit in the evenings, as walk from the parking to the mosque
gate and then to the prayer hall is pretty much with out any shade. Well that’s
the only drawback in design from tourist perspective because if they put temporary
shades then it will affect the esthetics of the place and there is no space in
design kept for trees etc. but its not a major issue if you really have to
visit in summer day time then simply get a cap or an umbrella and a small bottle
of water should be ok.
There is a strict dress code so no shorts or sleeveless tops even for men but don’t worry , the temp veils or Arabic long attires are available on the spot. Posing for pictures in the mosque is strictly monitored and required to be decent inline with the respect a mosque deserves. This reminds me you should check out why Rihanna was politely asked to leave the mosque.
There are timing for visit and guided tours are also available, for which it is suggested to check website for schedule as it changes frequently.
Personally I will prefer night time as the mosque displays another side with lighting and pool reflections.
Now coming back to the Mosque, columns in the arcade are quite unique with top comprising of golden date leaf top with lower part of white with floral patterns made with colorful stones. Domes in the arcade and main gate at night are beautifully lit from inside with blue color further glorifying the patterns/calligraphy inside; don’t miss to check those out.
From main gate you step right in to big courtyard in the center of the mosque where whole floor has also been design with the same floral patterns made of stone.
There are three prayer halls, two reserved at all times for prayer(1 for male and other for female) and are simple compared to the main hall. Main hall is in the center and is main attraction/reserved for tours.
Basically the whole tour is designed in a way that from main gate you get to the main prayer while walking through the court yard and you leave your shoes on the shoe stands outside the main prayer hall. From there you enter through classic arched electric glass doors(first ever I have seen in a Mosque) in to a small hall which is without carpet and is all white with walls fully covered with same stone floral designs. There is a very fancy crystal chandelier here, you walk through here following a path defined by temporary airport type fence and enter the main prayer hall.
Main Prayer hall is a work of art, it feels like some one has doodle floral
pattern throughout. You are welcomed by a grand crystal chandelier which seems
and later on I found out is one of the biggest in the world , It is right under
the center big Dome . Wall behind chandelier has Imams wooden sermon seat with
99 names of Allah written all over the wall, where addition of light among the
pattern adds to beauty. The Carpet is
set be the largest in the world. Each of the three main domes is supported by
eight columns which are formed by four pillars each. Look for surprise design
between each set of four pillars. Then you walk through the Main prayer hall to
another smaller exhibition sort of hall which is similar in design with
entrance room. During my last visit there was some vintage Islamic coin
exhibition was going on (again please check website for such schedules).
You follow a similar pathway for exit as well. The whole tour will take 30 to 40 mins only provided you are not a photographer. This place is a photographer’s heaven, I spent almost 3 to 4 hours and was still not done.
If you are visiting from outsideAbu
Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in first look seems like a modern fusion
of Taj Mahal Agra with Badshahi Mosque Lahore, both built by Mughal rulers.
I have been to the Grand Mosque couple of times, both in the
day time and in the evening. Drive from Dubai
As soon as
Getting to the Grand Mosque complex is easy and the pin is
available on Google maps. The drive in fact can be enjoyable (if fun for you
consists of picking up dates while parked on hard shoulder or having tea from a
gas station)
Grand Mosque complex consists of mosque in the center
surrounded by very geometrical gardens, Domes layout and floor plan is inspired
by Badshahi mosque with three main prominent domes on top of prayer hall, four
classic Arab design oriented minarets on each corner of the mosque, Moorish
style arcades on three sides of the mosque connected to prayer hall on the
fourth side. There are pools along the arcades which reflect mosque spectacular
columns. There is also a library, underground car parking and ablution facility.
The white exterior of Mosque gives the
impression of Taj Mahal Agra.
At the Grand Mosque complex there is ample parking. If you
are visiting in winter then visiting in day time is fine otherwise I will
suggest you to visit in the evenings, as walk from the parking to the mosque
gate and then to the prayer hall is pretty much with out any shade. Well that’s
the only drawback in design from tourist perspective because if they put temporary
shades then it will affect the esthetics of the place and there is no space in
design kept for trees etc. but its not a major issue if you really have to
visit in summer day time then simply get a cap or an umbrella and a small bottle
of water should be ok.There is a strict dress code so no shorts or sleeveless tops even for men but don’t worry , the temp veils or Arabic long attires are available on the spot. Posing for pictures in the mosque is strictly monitored and required to be decent inline with the respect a mosque deserves. This reminds me you should check out why Rihanna was politely asked to leave the mosque.
There are timing for visit and guided tours are also available, for which it is suggested to check website for schedule as it changes frequently.
Personally I will prefer night time as the mosque displays another side with lighting and pool reflections.
Now coming back to the Mosque, columns in the arcade are quite unique with top comprising of golden date leaf top with lower part of white with floral patterns made with colorful stones. Domes in the arcade and main gate at night are beautifully lit from inside with blue color further glorifying the patterns/calligraphy inside; don’t miss to check those out.
From main gate you step right in to big courtyard in the center of the mosque where whole floor has also been design with the same floral patterns made of stone.
There are three prayer halls, two reserved at all times for prayer(1 for male and other for female) and are simple compared to the main hall. Main hall is in the center and is main attraction/reserved for tours.
Basically the whole tour is designed in a way that from main gate you get to the main prayer while walking through the court yard and you leave your shoes on the shoe stands outside the main prayer hall. From there you enter through classic arched electric glass doors(first ever I have seen in a Mosque) in to a small hall which is without carpet and is all white with walls fully covered with same stone floral designs. There is a very fancy crystal chandelier here, you walk through here following a path defined by temporary airport type fence and enter the main prayer hall.
Main Prayer hall is a work of art, it feels like some one has doodle floral
pattern throughout. You are welcomed by a grand crystal chandelier which seems
and later on I found out is one of the biggest in the world , It is right under
the center big Dome . Wall behind chandelier has Imams wooden sermon seat with
99 names of Allah written all over the wall, where addition of light among the
pattern adds to beauty. The Carpet is
set be the largest in the world. Each of the three main domes is supported by
eight columns which are formed by four pillars each. Look for surprise design
between each set of four pillars. Then you walk through the Main prayer hall to
another smaller exhibition sort of hall which is similar in design with
entrance room. During my last visit there was some vintage Islamic coin
exhibition was going on (again please check website for such schedules). You follow a similar pathway for exit as well. The whole tour will take 30 to 40 mins only provided you are not a photographer. This place is a photographer’s heaven, I spent almost 3 to 4 hours and was still not done.
If you are visiting from outside
For me it is a must visit if you are looking for
some cultural experience which is absolutely free and comes with a road trip.
I am still editing the pictures and will do a separate post but here are few pictures:
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