Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Marvel of Islamic Art and Heritage

The initial considerations for building the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque began in the late 1980s. Construction began on November 5, 1996, and the mosque was finally opened for worship on Eid Al Adha in 2007. Designed to reflect the founder's forward-looking vision, it combines elements from various regional traditions, showcasing modern Islamic architecture at its finest. Its aesthetic appeal and unique collections have made it a focal point of global interest.

The mosque's construction, which took approximately 11 years, was a monumental effort that united the world. Artisans, craftsmen, and materials were sourced from numerous countries, including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. Over 3,000 workers and 38 construction companies participated in this grand project.

The mosque features 82 domes inspired by Moroccan and Mogul styles, with the largest having a diameter of 32.6 meters and a height of 84 meters. These domes, adorned with white marble, onion-shaped crowns, and gold-glass mosaic finials, are striking. The interior boasts traditional Moroccan artwork and Quranic verses in Naskh, Thuluth, and Kufi calligraphy.

The mosque’s pure white marble, symbolising purity and peace, covers over 165,000 square meters of its surface. The exterior courtyard is inlaid with mosaic marble from Italy, India, Greece, and China, reflecting a blend of cultures.

The mosque’s four minarets rise to 107 meters, showcasing diverse Islamic architectural styles. These minarets, with balconies, gilded finishes, and cornices, provide a high place for the muezzin’s call to prayer, now enhanced by loudspeakers.

A unique lighting system reflects the lunar cycle, projecting soft bluish clouds onto the mosque’s white walls. This creates a daily changing visual effect that emphasises cultural commonalities. The main prayer hall houses the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet, recognised by Guinness World Records in 2007. Hand-knotted by 1,200 artisans, this 5,400-square-meter carpet weighs 35 tons and features Islamic and floral designs with raised prayer lines.

The mosque’s seven chandeliers, inspired by the date palm tree, feature trunks, fronds, and coloured globes representing dates. The largest chandelier in the main hall measures 12 meters in diameter and 15.5 meters in height and contains 15,500 LEDs.

The Minbar, made of carved American cedar wood inlaid with mother of pearl, white gold, and glass mosaic, is a platform for sermons. Surrounding reflective pools create a serene ambience, and over 1,000 columns, adorned with semi-precious stones using the ‘Pietra dura’ technique, enhance the mosque’s elegance.

Fulfilling its founder's vision and the spirit of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a place of worship and a platform promoting tolerance and cross-cultural communication. Attracting millions annually, it embodies Islamic values and Emirati principles, catering to worshippers and visitors alike and securing its position as a top global attraction.