A fleeting glance at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque isn’t going to be enough for any traveller because it deserves more than a few minutes of admiration because of its awe-inspiring handiwork.. One of Abu Dhabi’s modern jewels, it not only boasts of a grand exterior but also breathtaking interiors, which pay tribute to their culture. Designed by Syrian architect Yusef Abdelky, it was commissioned by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1996, with the sole purpose to unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world, through architecture and art. Taking a little over 10 years to finally be completed in 2007, the design for the construction is influenced by not one but three different kinds of styles – Mughal, Persian and Indo-Islamic mosque architecture. But, if there are two major influences which inspired Abdelky, it is was the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore and the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria.
The gigantic mosque, which is aligned to Kaaba at Mecca in Saudi Arabia, spans over 30 acres and is 950 ft x 1,380 ft, with 82 domes of different sizes and four towering minarets at every corner. There is more than one element which makes it a favourite for many, but what immediately catches the eye is the gleaming Macedonian Sevic white marble domes and minarets during the day. While it is natural light which helps magnify its beauty when the sun shines, it is the theatrical lighting, which will leave you in awe at night. The lights change according to the phases of the moon, and while the construction of the mosque can be attributed to Italian specialists Impregilo, the marvellous lighting at night is the expertise of UK-based design company Speirs and Major. Famous for their work inside St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Barajas International Airport in London and the Burj Arab Hotel exterior in Dubai, illuminating the complex structure, took them a little over three years.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has many striking elements starting with the courtyard which has a floral marble mosaic spanning over 1,80,000 sq feet. While it is the mosaic outside, it is the beautiful carpet spread across the main prayer hall floor, which drowns out even the hushed voices from tourists to cloak every visitor with serenity almost immediately. Designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi with the Iran Carpet Company, it is believed to be the world’s largest carpet made from the softest Iranian and New Zealand wool. Spread over 60,570 sq ft, it weighs over 35 tonnes and is said to have taken two years to make before it was brought in parts to be assembled at the mosque. However, the interiors are not just about the carpets because the seven chandeliers which adorn the ceiling are simply other-worldly. Imported from German company Faustig, they are made from Swarovski crystals and are designed in the shape of inverted date palm fronds, to pay tribute to the trees which dot the region, making it even more special for every tourist and worshipper that visits the holy place.
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