Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque In Abu Dhabi

Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque In Abu Dhabi

Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque is a special place and one of the popular attractions to visit in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the seventh largest mosque in the world.

The Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque is a key place of worship for daily prayers, there is a smaller replica of the grand mosque existing in the Indonesian city of Surakarta.  The mosque was a vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – the founding Father of the UAE, he envisaged the creation of a welcoming and cultural haven that inspires people from all backgrounds. The construction of the mosque was a cultural collaboration, the grand structure was designed and built by skilled teams from all over the world including 1,300 Iranian artisans who hand – knotted the main prayer hall’s carpet which is the world’s largest.

This beautiful mosque got its name from the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates, Zayid bin Sultan al Nuhayyan, the sheik who gave the mosque its name died in 2007 and was buried in the mosque in a special Mausoleum after his death. This Mausoleum can be found on the side of the mosque and in this side, no pictures are allowed.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi – the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

There are free guided turs offered with a guide at the mosque, the expert guides will guide you to so many details which you might miss like gold – leaf calligraphy which encircles the hallows of the mosque’s remarkable 82 domes.

In the evening when the sun is going down, you can witness the whole façade light up with even more majesty.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque’s interior features 82 domes, 1000 pillars and four minarets, the mosque can host 40,000 people who can pray at the same time. The Mosque houses the largest hand – woven carpet in the world which is one of the many attractions in the mosque, the carpet covers an area of 5600 square meters and it was too large to be shipped to Abu Dhabi at once. So the carpet was therefore sent to Abu Dhabi in parts and assembled on site.

The mosque also has the largest chandelier in the world which is more than 10 meters in diameters and 40 meters high, with all these splendor, it should not surprise you that the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is known as the most expensive mosque on earth in terms of constriction costs.

The Sheik Zayed Mosque also has a beautiful courtyard which consists entirely of white marble and is beautiful decorated with floral motifs, gold leaf and precious stones. Part of the courtyard is open to visitors and the rest is fenced off with barriers.

When is the best time to go to Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi?

The mosque is a fantastic place to visit no matter when you arrive, however the dusk is particularly special  as it offer visitors an opportunity to see the fading sunlight bouncing off the white façade to create a beautiful glow and after the sunset, you an witness the majesty of the building as it becomes illuminated by lights.

Visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque

For non-muslims, the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open every day except Friday morning from 9 am to 10 pm, entrance to the mosque is free and visitors are expected to follow a number of rules for example women must wear long trousers or skirts to the ankles, see through clothes are not allowed and all women should wear a headscarf.

If you do not meet the dress code, a limited number of abaya are available on site, however on busy days the abayas are not available. Also, some of the abayas available may not fit women with large sizes  that is why it is best to come with your own clothing before traveling to the mosque.

Men are not allowed to wear shorts or shirts without sleeves, as a man it is best to wear long pants and a shirt that covers your entire arm. Shoes are prohibited in the mosque itself, you can remove them at the entrance of the mosque and temporarily place them in the appropriate cupboards. The mosque itself is always very clean so you don’t have to worry about your socks or bare foot getting dirty.

Note: if you cannot comply with the dress code, you are not allowed to visit the mosque.

Are there guided tours at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque offer free guided tours in Arabic and English which is the best way to get the most from your visit.

What is the dress Code for the Grand Mosque?

Visitors to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque must follow a specific dress code as a sign of respect, visitors must cover their shoulders and knees before entry. Women must wear abayas.  

Is there an entry fee to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the UAE?

There is no free to enter Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, however you need to book your visit via Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s website.