#13 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, U A E

#13 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi hosts the third largest mosque in the world - after the ones in Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia.

It is named after the founder and first President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He chose the location and took substantial influence on the architecture and the design of the mosque. Based on his vision, the mosque was built with the rise of 11 metres above sea level, and 9.5 metres above the street level so that it is clearly visible from all directions.

It is built as a monument to consolidate Islamic culture and a prominent centre for Islamic sciences.

According to his wish, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is also the last resting place of its name giver, who passed away in 2004.

As per the direction of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the mosque is located in the heart of the new Abu Dhabi between Musaffah Bridge and Maqta Bridge. The construction of AED 2.5 billion-project began in the late 1996. Approximately 38 contracting companies and about 3,500 workers helped realising the complex over a period of almost 12 years.

On the 20th of December 2007, the mosque was initially opened to the public and prayers. The first prayer was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

The mosque stands out with a couple of architectural superlatives, which make it to one of the most spectacular buildings in the world.

The complex covers an area of 22,412 m2

33,000 tons of steel and 250,000 m3 of concrete were used. They lay on 6,500 foundation piles

The courtyard has a total of 1,048 columns

A total of 82 domes belong to the mosque

The main dome is the largest mosque dome in the world: 85 metres high with a diameter of 32.8 metres.

Some 41,000 worshippers can be accommodated in the mosque, 7,126 in the main prayer hall.

A veritable treasure trove for literature-inclined bookworms, the specialised, state-of-the-art library at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre promotes intercultural discourse and interaction by showcasing the powerful continuity and traditions inherent in books spanning multiple Arabic and Islamic eras.

On the third floor of the Northern Minaret of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with unobstructed views in all directions, the library’s location is unprecedented in the history and design of world mosques.

Highlights include rare Arabic calligraphy collections and copies of the Holy Qur’an printed in Europe between the years 1537-1857. There are also more than 50,000 rare editions of manuscripts and imprints.

This architectural work of art is one the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for an astonishing 41,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over a 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the world’s largest chandeliers –10 metres in diameter, 15 metres in height and weighing twelve tonnes. The mosque's first ceremony was the funeral of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed, who is buried at the site.

Reflective pools surround the mosque, amplifying its beauty. The striking white and gold colours shining in the sun are transformed at night by a unique lightning system which reflects the phases of the moon.

Visitors’ Tip: Why not finish sight-seeing or shopping for the day and take the 5pm ‘Sunset Tour’? Get to the mosque around 4:30pm – a wonderful time to take photos – to wind down and chill out for 20 minutes in the lovely, afternoon breeze before the tour.

Opening hours: Unlike other mosques in Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open daily to visitors, except on Friday morning, which is for worshippers only. The opening hours are 9am to 10pm (last entry at 9.30 pm) – Saturday to Thursday and 4.30pm to 10pm on Fridays. Complimentary one hour guided tours run (Sun-Thurs) at 10am, 11am and 4.30 / 5pm. Friday times are 5pm and 7.30 /8pm and Saturday 10am, 11am, 2pm, 4.30 /5pm and 7.30 / 8pm.

The times for the last two tours of the day vary between 4.30 and 5pm, and 7.30 and 8pm, depending on the time of the time of the year. To check the current times, visitszgmc.gov.ae

Ramadan opening hours:  During Ramadan the mosque is open daily, except Friday, from 9am to 2pm (last entry at 1:30pm), and the 45 minutes complimentary tours start at 10am and 11am and are adapted to include insights into the practices of the Holy Month to give visitors a greater understanding of it.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the first President of the UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi, was born in 1918 in the city of Al Ain.  He was named after his grandfather Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan who ruled Abu Dhabi from 1855 to 1909.  In his youth, Zayed had a keen interest in the history of the Arabian Peninsula.  His interest in Arabic poetry provided him with the spirit of wisdom which was one of his well-known virtues.  In the Arabian Desert, Zayed learned courage and chivalry. The experience that Sheikh Zayed had growing up in a harsh desert environment had a tremendous impact on shaping his exceptional personality.  He was known for his patience, insightfulness and optimism but the central trait of his personality was wisdom. 

As a leading personality, who understands the rules integral to the game of tribal balances, Sheikh Zayed works diligently to settle emerging tribal disputes and differences. Through his insightful vision and wisdom, Zayed realized that conflicting tribes will be held back by the struggle for existence unless the surrounding circumstances are altered.  His wisdom was materialized during the talks and negotiations to settle the disputes over the border area of Al Buraimi adjacent to Oman.  As a result of his insight and perception, Zayed won the admiration and respect of all parties.  When Zayed became the governor of Alain in 1946, he was able to find sophisticated solutions for the scarcity of the water sources   confronting the harsh desert environment with relentlessness regardless of lack of financial support.  In his endeavors to develop Al Ain, Zayed built the Al Nahyan School in 1959.  He also constructed the first commercial market, and the first hospital in Al Ain.  He was concerned with road construction and he established the first network of paved roads and streets.  The most difficult decision taken by Zayed at that time was a decree aiming to make the water sources available for all the citizens of Alain in order to be used for irrigation and other purposes. 

Some Significant Dates :

* 1946: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the Ruler’s Representative of Al Ain city.

* 6th of August 1966: Sheikh Zayed became the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

* 2nd of December 1971: Sheikh Zayed was elected as President of the UAE. 

The UAE Federation Maker: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the founder of United Arab Emirates. Initially, he signed an agreement to establish a federation between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.  Shortly afterwards a federation of seven Emirates was established.

 His Death: Sheikh Zayed passed away on the 2nd of November 2004 to be succeeded by his son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the president of the UAE and the ruler of Abu Dhabi. The mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed is located beside the mosque on the north side.