Sheikha’s Mosque in Abu Dhabi
Sheikh’s mosque in Abu Dhabi is a real work of architectural art, it is one of the largest mosques in the world and can accommodate 40,000 praying. The majestic white mosque is named after Sheikh Zaid Bin Sultan An-Najiana, the first president of the country. The first ceremony held in the mosque was just the funeral of Sheikh Zaych, his burial is here in the territory.
The big mosque was opened a month Ramadan in 2007. Since 2008, the UAE Ministry of Tourism allowed excursions in the walls of the temple for both Muslims and representatives of other religions and religion.
Construction of a White Temple, navigated by the locals of a big mosque, began in the late 1990s. The construction of the most grand shrine has become a symbol of the "Combining of the World": the construction of the best masters and materials from countries such as Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, Iran, China and Greece. More than 3000 workers and 38 organizations participated. Complex takes 22 412 kV. M., With equivalent to the area of five football fields, and can accommodate up to 40,960 believers. The total cost of construction amounted to 2 billion. Dirhams (545 million. US dollars).
The initial architectural project was Moroccan, but then the outer walls in the traditional Turkish style were included. The big mosque has 82 Moroccan dome from white marble. The central dome of 32.8 meters in diameter, towering at an altitude of 85 meters, is the largest of its kind. There are four beautiful 115-meter minarets in the corners of the mosque. Domestic courtyard area of 17000 square.m posted with colored marble 38 shades and is considered the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.
In the library located in the northern minaret, a collection of modern and ancient books is collected in various languages of the world dedicated to science, civilization, calligraphy, art.
The Great Sheikh Zaid Mosque became famous for many unique features: the internal design of prayerful halls from white Italian marble is inlated by floral patterns with gold and glass mosaic, semi-precious stones and crystals. In the main chapter under the central dome, the largest chandelier in the world is 10 m in diameter, 15 m in height and weight of more than 9 tons. The temple also highlights gold chandeliers from Germany, Swarovski crystal chandeliers from Austria and glass from Italy.
The main hall is also the world’s largest carpet carpet. Carpet Woven in Iran on the project of the Iranian artist Ali Khaligi. 1200 artisans have worked on its manufacture for 2 years. 5627 kV carpet.m, on which 35 tons of wool and 12 tons of cotton were used, costs about 8.2 million. US dollars.
The wall of the kibla (qibla), on which the gold-glass mosaic describes 99 names (qualities) of Allah in traditional Camp calligraphy, highlighted with thin fiber optic light integrated into the design.
Mosque surround artificial lakes and channels with a total area of 7874 kV. m, decorated with a dark cafeter, in which in the evening beautifully reflected illuminated white temple. Transform the beauty of the mosque and the surrounding sparkling fountains. White and yellow colors, amazingly sparkling in the sun, at night are replaced by a unique backlight system, which reflects the phases of the moon.
This is the second temple of the Arab Emirates open to visit Nemusulman, like Jumeira Mosque in Dubai.
Visitors should be in conservative, non-fitting clothes with long sleeves, in long skirts and pants. Women need to change clothes into black Abai and Sheila – all this will be issued at the entrance. Shoes need to be removed before entering.
Visitors will be forgiven to be only allowed to visit the mosque places, do not touch the Koran and other architectural elements inside the chamber, smoking and adoption of food are prohibited.
Unlike other mosques Abu Dhabi, the Great Sheikha Mosque Zaza is open to visitors every day, with the exception of the morning Friday – time exclusively for praying. Free excursions start at 10:00, 11:00 and 16: 30/17: 00 from Sunday to Thursday. On Fridays at 17:00 and 19: 30/20: 00 and on Saturdays at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 16: 30/17: 00 and 19: 30/20: 00.
The last two excursions depends on the time in a specific period of the year and can be 16:30 or 17:00 and 19:30 or 20:00.
