Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 

After our very interesting meeting with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, we headed to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, for a guided tour.

When we first saw this architectural jewel, we found ourselves astonished and speechless. Indeed, how could one remain unmoved by this magnificent mosque, impressive by its size and somehow reminiscent of the Taj Mahal’s splendor? The mosque, which opened in 2007 after a decade of construction, covers an area of more than 12 hectares. Its erection was ordered by the founder of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who died in 2004 and now rests in the grounds of the mosque. Through this project, Sheikh Zayed wanted to establish a symbol of the Islamic world while uniting historical and modern architectural styles. And when one looks at the mosque, there is no doubt that this is a real success.

While we could clearly feel the stylistic inspiration from Islamic art - with the predominance of arabesque decorations, vaults and arches - we were also amazed by the modernity of the design and construction techniques used. In particular, the main prayer room blew our minds, with its sumptuous carpet and chandelier. The carpet, which is the largest one in the world, was handmade in Iran. A beautiful bright green is the main color, with nuances of pink and gold. This elegant combination of colors was matching the colors of the splendid overhanging chandelier. This chandelier, made from different types of glass coming from all over Europe (including Italy, Greece, Germany and Belgium), also holds an international record, being the largest one in the world.

The prayer room is not the only treasure in the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The surrounding gardens and basins, as well as Sheikh Zayed’s mausoleum where two imams are reciting the Quran at any time of day or night, add to the calm and pious atmosphere of the place.

Each of us greatly enjoyed wandering in this peaceful and marvelous environment, far from the hustle and bustle of Dubai – in sum, a much-appreciated detour in our meetings schedule. This wonderful and memorable visit well reflected our overall perception of the country: a unique alliance between traditions and modernity, with a strong inclination towards architectural feats.

~Mathilde Cohen, second year Middle East Studies concentrator, SAIS