Abu Dhabi’s’ Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is so amazing, we visited it twice during our visit to the region. And if we ever return to Abu Dhabi, we will go again.
It’s hard not to be blown away by this mosque. With its stunning white marble making it stand out against the blue skies, it is absolutely beautiful inside and out.
In 2017 we went on our second ever ocean cruise (first one was in 1999 up the Malacca Strait from Singapore). This cruise was of the ‘Arabian Peninsula’ and included Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Muscat and Khasab in Oman, Doha in Qatar, and Manama in Bahrain.
After the cruise finished, we had four nights booked in Abu Dhabi which meant we had visited this city as part of the cruise and were also able to spend more time exploring independently after the cruise.
The first time we visited the mosque, it was as a shore excursion provided by the cruise line (Azamara Cruise Lines). Accordingly, we had the expertise of a local guide to take us through the mosque and talk to us about its history, construction and impart a range of facts about Islam. However, the downside to any organised tour with a large group of people is you may not get all the time you would like in any given place. So we were happy to be able to return to the mosque later in our trip.
Arrival
You won’t be surprised to hear that you have to be fully covered to visit the mosque. This is strictly enforced. Having read online ahead of this trip that the mosque will provide jilbabs (full length gowns) for you to wear should you arrive not appropriately dressed, I was surprised to learn that this does not apply to tour groups. Although prepared with full length jeans, long sleeves and a headscarf, the tour guide thought that my light blue shirt wasn’t going to make the grade. And I wasn’t the only one in the group with borderline outfits. This is a pretty regular occurrence, so regular in fact that the tour bus driver carries a range of tops, abayas and jilbabs for tour guests to borrow. So I was able to be even more covered up on our arrival. You also have to remove your shoes, so ensure your socks or bare feet are presentable.
A guard inspected the group as we approached the entry gates to ensure we were all appropriately dressed. And we made the grade – phew!
Once inside the grounds, the beautiful blue water features and immaculate green gardens that surround the exterior of the mosque impressed us. They brought a feeling of peace and order to the grounds. They also provided great photo opportunities! On our second independent visit we were able to spend more time exploring the gardens.
The Courtyard (‘Sahan’)
We removed our shoes and placed them in the shelving provided at the entrance to the mosque.
The first thing we saw was the enormous open courtyard, or ‘Sahan’. Across the vast courtyard, the imposing domes rose up before us (there are 82 of them according to the official mosque website). This really was a ‘wow’ moment.
The use of coloured marble has created beautiful floral patterns featuring regional flowers in the courtyard floor. We were awestruck by the whole scene.
Worshippers use the courtyard when the vast internal space fills up. This occurs for significant events such as during Ramadan. It can hold over 30,000 people! And unbelievably there are thousands of tiny holes in the marble which blow air conditioned air up to keep worshippers cooler in the Abu Dhabi heat.
Note that security is on hand to ensure you do not enter the courtyard itself. They also do not allow photos with certain paraphernalia which we observed first hand on our visit. A young man quickly held up an Indian flag and a friend took a photo of him holding it with the vast courtyard and domes of the mosque behind him. Security swooped and confiscated the flag and from what we could make out, also deleted the photo off his phone.
The Arcades
After admiring the courtyard, we followed the arcades of the mosque around the left side of the courtyard. Intricately decorated pillars line the arcades. The floral marble inlay theme continues, and gold features atop each one. ‘Reflective pools’ add another stunning element (and another good photo opportunity).
On our second visit, as we were seeing the mosque independently we were able to spend more time in the arcades, and take advantage of the view of the courtyard from different angles.
The arcades led to the prayer halls.
The Prayer Halls
Amazing chandeliers drew our eyes to the ceiling as we entered the prayer halls. Each one incorporates Swarovski crystals. The main prayer hall also boasts the largest hand knotted carpet in the world (as at our visit in 2017). Islamic inscriptions decorate the walls.
Finishing The Tour
After visiting the main prayer hall, the visitors’ route led us back out past the shoe shelving to collect our shoes.
There is a food court, which we didn’t try. But we did visit the souvenir shop. Regular readers will know that I was in the habit of collecting souvenirs from the countries we visit for my desk at work. At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque I bought a little metal camel, silver in colour with a brass coloured face and hump.
As I mentioned, we visited the mosque a second time whilst staying in Abu Dhabi after our cruise. We took a taxi from and back to the hotel for this visit. The hotel we were staying in (Four Seasons Abu Dhabi) also offered the day use of a jilbab with a headscarf once we mentioned we were visiting the mosque (pre-Covid). It was loaned at no charge and provided in a lovely bag which I could carry with us so that I could slip it on once we arrived. Great service!
If you visit Abu Dhabi, definitely visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. If you are into photography, allow extra time to seek out some wonderful picture spots. We regret not going in the evening, so you may want to consider the timing of your visit too. Prepare to be blown away!
2 comments
Such an impressive place, amazing.
It’s quite impressive, isn’t it!