We visited one of our favorite landmarks in the UAE...
THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE
in Abu Dhabi.
And wouldn't you know it....
we were disciplined immediately after taking this picture!
"No photographs until you are covered,"
we were firmly told.
The theme of the day became,
"We are in trouble again!"
Even after many tours through
this amazing mosque,
John and I learn something new with each visit.
This time they gave us headphones
so we could hear every word the guide spoke.
Great idea, SZGM!
Here are a few interesting facts about the mosque:
"The Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan "May God rest his Soul" founded this great landmark, featuring four minarets and eighty-two domes, representing different Islamic styles, in support of noble Islamic cultural values, and to express its genuine religious concepts and values. The mosque accommodates more than 40,000 worshippers; 10,000 in the internal areas and 30,000 in the external areas.
There were more than 38 contractors and thousands of workers involved with completing various elements of the structure and decoration. Materials were also sourced from many countries including Greece, Italy, Germany, China, Austria, India and New Zealand to name a few.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is well known for its diverse Islamic architecture and pure white colour. White marble clads the external walls and columns and features relief carving of verses from Holy Quran and Islamic ornamentation."
*www.szgmc.ae "The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has many special and unique elements: The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. This carpet measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet and it took approximately two years to complete. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height. The pools along the arcades reflect the Mosque’s spectacular columns, which becomes even more glorious at night. The unique lightning system was designed by lightning architects Jonathon Speirs and Major to reflect the phases of the moon. Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and get brighter and darker according to the phase of the moon.
The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are clad with marble and inlaid with mother of pearl, one of the few places where you will see this craftsmanship.
The 99 names (qualities or attributes) of Allah (God) are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufi calligraphy, designed by the prominent UAE calligrapher - Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi. The Qibla wall also features subtle fibre-optic lighting, which is integrated as part of the organic design.
In total, three calligraphy styles - Naskhi, Thuloth and Kufi – are used throughout the mosque and were drafted by Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi UAE, Farouk Haddad Syria and Mohammed Allam Jordan." * ByAmazing Architecture
It's an amazing place...
with numerous photo opp spots!
(Sorry Jas & Chloe!!)
After the mosque tour ended, we strolled over to the
SHEIKH ZAYED MAUSOLEUM.
Although no photographs are allowed,
I took one from a distance.
Two Emirati men have been singing verses from the Qur'an
in Sheikh Zayed's honor, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,
since his death on November 2, 2004.
Yes, it is a remarkable place,
THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE.
In case you were wondering,
Jason gave it two thumbs up!
While in Abu Dhabi, we drove past several of its epic buildings.
The
ALDAR HEADQUARTERS,
(commonly known as the "nickel building"),
the
HYATT CAPITAL GATE HOTEL,
ETIHAD TOWERS,
and
EMIRATES PALACE.
Finally,
we drove over to YAS ISLAND to show Chloe the infamous
FERRARI WORLD. We only drove by the awesome structure,
as Chloe assured us she had absolutely no desire to ride on the fastest roller coaster in the world, FORMULA ROSSA!
We drove past
YAS MARINA CIRCUIT,
where the Formula 1 is held every year, with its beautiful VICEROY HOTEL.
