Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi: description and history

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

When you read the description or see with your own eyes ancient religious buildings - temples, cathedrals, churches - you are amazed at the love, awe and faith with which these unique monuments were created by the architects of antiquity. It seems that nothing more perfect can be created. However, modern builders refute this opinion.

A vivid example of this is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, a magnificent architectural masterpiece that appeared on the land of the United Arab Emirates at the beginning of the 21st century. It is the sixth largest mosque in the world. It is dedicated to the first president and founder of the state (UAE), Sheikh Zayed. The facility was officially opened in 2007.

Where is the mosque?

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is the wonderful city of Abu Dhabi, where the world-famous mosque is located. The city is located on the island of the same name in the Persian Gulf. Now it is connected to the mainland by three bridges (road), so it is not difficult for everyone who wants to see the mosque to get to the capital. itcan be done, for example, from the neighboring emirate of Dubai. Sheikh Zayed Mosque will appear before you in 2.5 hours. That's how long the journey takes.

Sheikh Zayed - the founder of the state

The magnificent snow-white Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi got its name for a reason. The initiator of the creation of a unique structure was the President of the (first) UAE Sheikh Zayed. This man played an important role in the history of the country. He was able to unite six principalities (Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Fujara, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah, Dubai, Arjah) into a single federal state. After that, he achieved independence from England. The oil trade made it possible to turn the Emirates into a prosperous state. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque (UAE) was officially opened three years after the Sheikh's death. He is buried to the right of the temple. From the moment of burial, the servants of the mosque read the Holy Quran day and night.

Not only the mosque is dedicated to the memory of the legendary sheikh. Local residents honor him, and therefore seek to perpetuate his name. Abu Dhabi has the most beautiful bridge and a huge football stadium. These structures also bear the name of Sheikh Zayed.

Construction

Planning and construction of this grand structure lasted more than twenty years. It cost the state treasury $500 million. Initially, a competition for the design of the temple was announced in the UAE and some other Arab countries, but then it began to be held all over the world. Architects from different countries sent their proposals and competitive works.

More than three thousand people representing thirty-eight organizations worked on the construction of the mosque. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi was decided to be built in the Moroccan style, but later, during the construction process, changes appeared in the project. Elements of Persian, Mauritanian and Arabic directions began to be seen in the construction. The outer walls of the temple are made in the Turkish style (classical).

Materials

The creators of the unique building wanted the Sheikh Zayed Mosque to retain its original architectural appearance for as long as possible. That is why only the highest quality materials were used in the construction - Macedonian marble. In the interior and exterior decoration you can see gold, precious and semi-precious stones, multi-colored crystals, gems, ceramics, crystal.

Architecture

Sheikh Zayed Mosque covers a huge area - 22,400 square meters. m. It accommodates more than forty thousand parishioners. All those who come to the Emirates strive to see her. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is visited by over 300,000 tourists every year. It should be noted that, unlike other mosques, not only Muslims, but also adherents of a different faith can enter here. This is the second UAE temple after the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai, which can be visited by representatives of other religions.

Description of the temple

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Abu Dhabi) can only be described using superlative adjectives - the largest, most beautiful, most visited in the country. The total area of the premises is comparable to five football fields. At the four corners of the buildingminarets rise. Their height exceeds one hundred meters.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque is famous for its main prayer hall, where 9,000 worshipers can pray at the same time. It is decorated with fifty-seven snow-white domes. Two more halls are created especially for women. They can accommodate 1,500 worshipers each. Before entering the temple, a woman must put on a veil.

This unique architectural structure has eighty domes covered with white marble. Outside and in the center are more than a thousand columns, decorated with handmade white marble panels. They are interspersed with lapis lazuli, pearls, agate and other semi-precious stones. The mosque has a courtyard with an area of more than 17 thousand square meters, lined with white marble slabs with exquisite ornaments. m. It plays a practical role, which is very important in the hot climate of the country - numerous colonnades (more than a thousand) help to form a light breeze.

The walls of the temple, lined with slabs of snow-white marble, shimmer during the day under the sun's rays, and in the evening the room is illuminated with luxurious illumination. She changes color from white to dark blue.

Interior decoration

This is a truly unique building - the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Abu Dhabi (UAE) is famous for its beautiful constructions, but the splendor and luxury of this temple delights even the Arabs.

The interior is decorated with a huge number of candlesticks covered with gold and inlaid with Swarovski crystals. The largest ofthem attached to the main dome. During the construction of the Qibla wall, gold and gilding were used. Ninety-nine names of the great Allah are carved on it.

Carpet

The mosque has the largest carpet (over 5600 square meters). It was woven for two years. This piece of art was created from a sketch by artist Ali Khaliqi. One thousand two hundred weavers and twenty technical teams worked on its creation.

Not only the dimensions of the carpet are striking, but also the figures that guides tell visitors - it took thirty-six tons of wool and twelve tons of cotton to make it. Its weight is forty-seven tons. The carpet is made up of 2,268,000 knots.

Mosque lighting

German craftsmen made seven chandeliers for the unique temple. They are covered with gold leaf and decorated with Swarovski crystals. It also houses the largest chandelier in the world today. Its diameter is ten meters, its height is twelve meters. This design weighs twelve tons.

The mosque is surrounded by artificial canals and lakes decorated with dark tiles. All the splendor of the snow-white temple is reflected in these reservoirs.

Tourist Tips

We have already said that anyone who wishes to enter the Sheikh Zayed Mosque can enter, regardless of religion or nationality. But at the same time, certain rules must be observed. Believers of other faiths or tourists cannot enter the temple during the service. Besides,it is forbidden to touch the Koran, as well as the elements that are associated with prayers.

It is necessary to pay attention to the choice of clothes. It should be strict and closed. Today, there are free exciting tours. Tourists recommend visiting this building in the evening. It is illuminated by countless lights and looks amazing.

Many are mistaken, believing that the magnificent mosque was built to demonstrate the we alth of the local population and additionally attract tourists. In reality, this unique building is the embodiment of respect and immense gratitude to Sheikh Zayed, who united the impoverished Bedouin principalities and created a powerful country.

There is a very large library on the territory of the mosque. And in 2008, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Cultural Center was established here. His tasks include the management of day-to-day operations - education and excursion programs for visitors.