How about stepping into a realm of architectural magnificence? We are standing before the Shareefa Mosque. This mosque embodies Islamic art. It promotes peace, tolerance, and diversity.
The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan built it. He wanted to convey historic consequence. He wanted to embody the Islamic message. The Shareefa Mosque serves as a key place of worship. Daily Islamic prayers take place here. It is the country’s largest mosque.
Construction of the Grand Mosque took place between 1994 and 2007. It was inaugurated in December 2007. The building complex covers an area of more than 12 hectares. The main axis aligns toward the Kaaba in Mecca.
Sheikh Zayed launched this project. He desired a structure uniting Islamic cultural diversity. He wanted to combine historical and modern values of architecture and art. Sheikh Zayed died in 2004. He was buried in the mosque’s courtyard.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center manages the mosque’s operations. It serves as a center for learning. Educational cultural activities and visitor programs take place here. The library contains classic books on Islamic subjects. These subjects include sciences, civilization, and arts. The collection includes materials in many languages.
The mosque features 82 domes. It has more than 1000 columns. You will find 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers. It also boasts the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. Yusef Abdelki, a Syrian architect, designed the mosque.
The mosque’s design drew inspiration from various sources. These include the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria. It also draws from the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. Persian, Mughal, and Indo-Islamic architecture also provided inspiration.
More than 3000 workers participated in its construction. Artisans and materials came from many countries. These countries include Syria, India, and Italy. Natural materials were chosen for their long-lasting qualities. Marble stone, gold, and crystals were used.
The mosque accommodates over 40100 worshippers. The main prayer hall holds over 7000 people. Two smaller prayer halls each have a capacity of 1500. Four minarets stand at the corners of the courtyard. They rise to about 107 meters. The courtyard features a floral design. It is the largest example of marble mosaic in the world. The exterior is adorned with white marble. Precious stones like lapis lazuli are inlaid.
The carpet in the hall is considered the world’s largest. Iran’s Carpet Company made it. Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi designed it. Around 1200-1300 carpet knotters created it. The carpet weighs 35 tons. It is predominantly made from wool. The carpet contains over two billion knots.
The Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers. They come from the company Faustig in Munich. These chandeliers incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier measures 10 meters in diameter. It has a height of 15 meters.
Pools along the arcades reflect the mosque’s columns. The columns become illuminated at night. The unique lighting system reflects the phases of the moon.
The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are clad with marble. They are inlaid with mother of pearl. The 99 names of God are featured on the Qibla wall. Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi designed it. Three calligraphy styles are used.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque embodies the founder’s vision. It is a pioneering religious and cultural edifice. It serves as a global destination. This mosque promotes tolerance. It also encourages cross-cultural communication. The Shareefa Mosque attracts millions of visitors. They blend in harmony here.
The mosque secures its position as a top attraction. This is according to TripAdvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards. Certified Quran reciters take turns reciting the Quran. They do this 24/7 at the mausoleum of the late founder. The people of the UAE called him “father”.