Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has a total of 82 domes, which are some of the most beautiful features of the mosque. There are seven different sizes of the domes, all of which are onion-top, and take inspiration from Pakistan’s Badshahi Mosque. These domes are made of pure white marble, and are enhanced by a crown-like design with gold mosaic detailing. The inner side of the domes are also etched with verses from the Quran and painted with gold leaves.

The entire mosque has a pure white colour, which is amongst its most distinguishing features, and sets it apart from other iconic landmarks in Abu Dhabi. This is due to the fact that the mosque is made entirely out of white marble, both internally and externally.

The Qibla Wall is one of the main attractions of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Also known as The Wall of Allah, the Qibla Wall faces Mecca inside the mosque, and is engraved with 99 names of Allah, in the Kufic script. The calligraphic work is also illuminated with fibre optic lighting from the back, which highlights the names, while the semi-circular niche is decorated with 24-carat gold stripes.

The mosque has a unique lighting system, which is designed in a way such that it reflects the different phases of the moon. There are 22 light towers inside the mosque, which consist of different light projectors that offer these lunar illustrations onto the white marble exteriors of the mosque, including on the domes and the mosque facade.

The main prayer hall of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is home to the largest hand-knotted Persian carpet in the whole world, which measures 5,700 square metres and weighs 35 tonnes. Designed by Dr. Ali Khaliqi of Iran, the carpet has an intricate Islamic medallion design, which was hand-crafted by around 1,200 artisans and was made of wool from New Zealand.

Also known as the Menbar, the Pulpit is located on the right side of the mosque. The Pulpit has floral as well as shell designs, all of which are made of carved cedar wood and then decorated with white gold, glass mosaic and the mother of pearl.

You can find 7 stunning chandeliers inside the Mosque, the largest and grandest of which is located inside the main prayer hall. This chandelier is also one of the largest chandeliers in the whole world, and is made of brass and stainless steel. Additionally, this chandelier is also covered with 24-carat gold and embellished with red and green crystal balls and millions of Swarovski crystals.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has 4 minarets, each of which has a height of around 106 metres. Exuding the typical feature of classic Islamic architecture, these minarets are made of three different geometrical shapes.

You can find stunning blue-tiled rectangular pools across the mosque, which offer the reflections of the different features of the mosque and tend to glow under the floodlights at night. These pools are some of the most famous attractions of the mosque, and are regularly featured in the yearly Spaces of Light photography competition.

There are internal as well as external columns in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The arcades of the mosque are surrounded by 1,096 columns, all of which are made of white marble panels, and decorated with precious stones like red agate, amethyst, lapis lazuli, etc. The external columns of the mosque have a design inspired from the date palm trees.

Located in the middle of the Qibla Wall, Mihrab is one of the most important elements of the mosque, and has a design inspired by one of the many references to Paradise made in the Quran. There is a yellow golden leaf-glass mosaic design on it, which flows in a downward direction from a beehive feature at the top. It is semicircular in shape, and represents the place where the Imam stands to lead the worshippers.

Also known as the Courtyard, Sahan is an open area in the mosque, where worshippers gather during prayers or during the holy month of Ramadan, and Eid. Made of the finest pieces of marble, the courtyard also features mosaic and floral elements, with the edges having designs of flowers like Lily, Iris and Tulip.

There are regular exhibitions organised at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque Abu Dhabi. These exhibitions predominantly have beautiful displays and exhibits of traditional Islamic arts. Additionally, you can also find exhibits of calligraphy, and other artefacts that showcase the artistic heritage of Islamic civilisation at the exhibitions held here. Quite a number of exhibitions organised at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque also help visitors gain an in-depth insight into the architectural significance of this mosque as well. From learning about the history of Islamic art in different regions of the world, to seeing various scripts of Arabic calligraphy, artistic photos of the mosque and its features and other displays, the exhibitions held inside the museum are some of its most popular attractions.

At the mosque, you can also learn a lot whilst enjoying a wide array of different youth activities. The mosque centre organises several activities and events which help you to learn about the region’s rich culture and heritage. Some of the most famous youth activities here include the Cultural Guidance Training Program, or the Ibn Al-Dar, where you can help to guide groups of visitors during cultural tours inside the mosque. Then, you can also take part in the Junior Culture Guide Program, which lets you organise the tours inside the mosque, and give you a practical experience of being cultural tour guides. These youth activities are perfect to develop your skills, knowledge and abilities.

Some of the best things to do at the mosque include attending the different workshops that are organised here. Through these workshops, you can not only learn about the aesthetics and intricacies of Islamic art and architecture, but also showcase your own creativity. Designed for different age groups and sections of people, these workshops typically include drawing, sculpture making, Arabic calligraphy and other forms of art, not just from the UAE, but also from other parts of the world.

You can also enjoy a wide range of different recreational facilities at the Grand Mosque Walkway during your visit. Said to be one of the best and most significant facilities inside the mosque, the walkway offers visitors a chance to indulge in various outdoor sports, whilst also enjoying the beautiful views of the mosque and the surrounding greenery and landscapes. The Grand Mosque Walkway boasts of several cafes and restaurants where visitors can relax and enjoy a delicious meal and drinks. It also has a huge cultural and architectural centre, along with a three-kilometre-long walking track, flanked by dozens of palm trees and other species of plants and trees.

When visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you can get your fill of knowledge by visiting the Mosque Library, which was opened in 2010 and houses thousands of books and reading material with focus of Islamic civilization and other things. Located at the visitor centre, the library also has a state-of-the-art media source, from visual and audio material, to journals, theses and more.

Free cultural tours are organised on a regular basis by the authorities of the mosque centre, and offer visitors a chance to indulge in an educational, cocktail and interactive experience. In addition to learning about the cultural role of the mosque in promoting the tolerance and co-existence of Islam with other religions, you can also learn about the mosque’s history and construction. These cultural tours also offer you a chance to find more information about elements of Islamic art, culture, traditions and architecture. A cultural tour of the museum typically ranges between 30 to 45 minutes.