The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, is a magnificent architectural masterpiece and the largest mosque in the country. Serving as a place of worship for daily Islamic prayers, this grand mosque is a symbol of unity and cultural diversity within the Islamic world.
Construction of the mosque began in 1994 and was completed in 2007, with its inauguration taking place in December of that year. The mosque complex spans an impressive area of over 12 hectares, excluding exterior landscaping and vehicle parking, and measures approximately 290 by 420 meters. Its main axis is aligned about 12 degrees south of true west, pointing towards the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The vision for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was initiated by the late president of the U.A.E., Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He aimed to create a structure that would blend the rich cultural heritage of the Islamic world with the modern values of architecture and art. Sheikh Zayed's commitment to this project was so profound that he was laid to rest in the mosque's courtyard upon his death in 2004.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) is located within the mosque complex and manages the day-to-day operations. It also serves as a center for education and discovery, offering various cultural activities and visitor programs. The mosque's library, situated in one of the minarets, houses a diverse collection of books and publications on a wide range of Islamic subjects, including sciences, civilization, calligraphy, arts, and coins. The library's collection is available in multiple languages, such as Arabic, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Korean.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has gained international recognition and acclaim, earning the distinction of being voted the world's second favorite landmark by TripAdvisor for two consecutive years. With its stunning architecture and five majestic domes, the mosque stands as a testament to the beauty and grandeur of Islamic art and culture. It serves as a significant cultural and religious landmark, welcoming visitors from around the world to admire its splendor and experience the tranquility of its surroundings.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The construction of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi was a monumental undertaking, overseen by Sheikh Zayed himself. After his passing in 2004, he was laid to rest within the mosque grounds. The Syrian architect Youssef Abdelke played a significant role in designing the mosque, with assistance from other Syrian architects including Basem Barghouti, Moataz Al-Halabi, and Imad Malas.
Abdelke drew inspiration from various sources, including the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria, Egypt, designed by Mario Rossi in the 1920s, as well as the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan. Persian, Mughal, and Indo-Islamic architectural influences can also be observed in the design. The layout and floorplan of the mosque were inspired by the Badshahi Mosque, while the archways reflect Moorish design elements, and the minarets exhibit classic Arab architectural features.
The construction of the mosque involved a joint venture between Italian contractors Impregilo and Rizzani de Eccher. Over 3,000 workers and 38 subcontracting companies were involved in the project. The second phase of construction, carried out between 2004 and 2007, was undertaken by a joint venture between ACC and Six Construct, a part of the Belgian company BESIX Group. The use of natural materials, such as marble stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals, and ceramics, was chosen for their durability. Artisans and materials were sourced from various countries, including Syria, India, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, North Macedonia, and the U.A.E.
The dimensions of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are truly impressive. It can accommodate over 40,100 worshippers, with the main prayer hall alone capable of holding over 7,000 individuals. Additionally, there are two smaller prayer halls, one of which serves as the women's prayer hall, each with a capacity of 1,500 worshippers. The mosque features four minarets, reaching a height of approximately 107 meters (351 feet), located on the corners of the courtyard. The courtyard itself spans about 17,000 square meters (180,000 square feet) and is renowned for its intricate floral design, considered the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.
Various types of marble were used in the construction of the mosque, including Sivec from Prilep, North Macedonia, which was used for the external cladding, covering an area of 115,119 square meters (1,239,130 square feet), including the minarets. Lasa marble from Laas, South Tyrol, Italy, was utilized for the internal elevations, while Makrana marble from Makrana, India, was employed in the annexes and offices. Acquabianca and Bianco P marble from Italy were also used in the construction.
Indeed, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque showcases several remarkable architectural features. Here are some additional details:
The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered the world's largest carpet, crafted by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. It spans an impressive 5,627 square meters (60,570 square feet) and was created by around 1,200-1,300 skilled carpet knotters. The carpet weighs 35 tons and is predominantly made of wool, sourced from New Zealand and Iran. It took approximately two years to complete, and it contains a staggering 2,268,000,000 knots.
The mosque is adorned with seven imported chandeliers from the renowned company Faustig in Munich, Germany. These chandeliers are embellished with millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second-largest known chandelier in a mosque and the third-largest in the world. It boasts a diameter of 10 meters (33 feet) and a height of 15 meters (49 feet).
The pools located along the arcades of the mosque reflect the columns and become illuminated at night, creating a captivating visual effect. This unique lighting system, designed by lighting architects Speirs and Major Associates, mimics the phases of the moon. The external walls are projected with beautiful bluish gray clouds through lights, which brighten or darken according to the current phase of the moon.
The 96 columns found in the main prayer hall are clad with marble and delicately inlaid with mother-of-pearl, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. This is one of the few places where visitors can witness such intricate mother-of-pearl inlay work.
The Qibla wall, which indicates the direction of Mecca for prayer, features the 99 names (qualities or attributes) of God (Allah) in traditional Kufic calligraphy. The renowned UAE calligrapher Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi designed this intricate calligraphy. Additionally, the Qibla wall incorporates subtle fiber-optic lighting as part of its organic design.
Throughout the mosque, three calligraphy styles are employed: Naskh, Thuluth, and Kufic. These calligraphic styles were crafted by Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi from the UAE, Farouk Haddad from Syria, and Mohammed Allam from Jordan, respectively. Their inclusion adds to the visual splendor and cultural richness of the mosque.
These architectural features, including the grand carpet, exquisite chandeliers, illuminated pools, mother-of-pearl inlay, calligraphy, and lighting design, contribute to the awe-inspiring beauty and spiritual ambiance of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
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