The Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the lively emirate of Abu Dhabi is one of the largest mosques in the world, and it stands as a splendid testament to one of the world’s oldest faiths: Islam. The best place from which to savour the city’s various spiritual attractions is a luxury hotel Abu Dhabi UAE has to offer its wide range of international visitors. Consider checking into the Grand Millennium Al Wahda as its world-class facilities and attentive hospitality make it an excellent Abu Dhabi hotel to host your stay. Standing tall as the emirate’s largest place of worship, the Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque is estimated to occupy an area of around five football fields. It features the most opulent décor derived from various countries and its grandeur is truly an awesome spectacle to witness firsthand. It has the capacity to accommodate 40,000 worshippers at one time and features 82 impressive domes and beautiful white columns numbering over a thousand. Its magnificent block chandeliers, imported from Germany, are gilded in 24-carat gold, and the main prayer hall boasts a magnificent fixture that is spans 10 metres in diametre and 15 metres in height, weighing approximately a massive 12 tonnes. Featuring the intricate filigree designs that decorate ancient Islamic art, the mosque is a visual feast that never fails to delight the eyes with each visit. Enhancing its beauty are reflective pools surrounding the mosque proper, and the primary colour scheme of white and gold portray a splendid visual to the appreciative eye. At night, the mosque is equipped to display a dazzling array of lights that evoke the different phases of the moon. The northeast minaret also houses an impressive Islamic library, containing numerous volumes on calligraphy, coins, books and artwork, some of which date back centuries. Unlike some other mosques in the emirate, the Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque is open to the public and guided tours are available for visitors to explore the fabulous interiors of this stunning structure, as well as attain an in depth glimpse into one of the world’s most venerated faiths.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.