Sheikh Zayed Mosque Facts

The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi occupies of space of about 12 acres. It is 290 metres long and 420 metres wide (about 960 feet by 1380 feet). In reality, it is the third-largest mosque in the world after the two in Saudi Arabia (Mecca and Medina). Its enormousness is denoted by the fact that it took 11 years to construct this mosque. And, because of its hugeness, it can accommodate almost 10,000 worshipers in the main hall and approximately 41,000 people overall. 

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The Sheikh Zayed Mosque was built from 1996 to 2007. It features components from all seven continents. Yousef Abdelky, a Syrian architect, was responsible for its design. 38 companies employed over three thousand employees to help construct the mosque from scratch. These materials were selected for their durability and longevity. While some materials were imported from Egypt, Morocco, and New Zealand, many others were brought in from North Macedonia, Germany, and several other countries. This mosque was constructed with ceramics, gold, crystals, and more.

The one-of-a-kind lighting scheme of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque was designed by Speirs and Major Associates to mimic the moon's cyclical changes. In accordance with the lunar cycle, the mosque's exterior illuminates subtly at night, giving the impression that the structure is "breathing with the moon." Every two evenings, 360-degree lighting changes the hue of the mosque from cold white during a full moon to progressively darker blue as the moon dims. Additionally, the moon is illuminated in its deepest blue on the fourteenth night of the cycle, denoting that there is no moon that night. The system is a technological marvel and a piece of art that leaves everyone in wonder.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's main prayer hall displays the largest woven carpet. Expert artisans and weavers from all around the globe worked together to hand-knot this carpet. About 1,200 skilled workers worked long hours to create the wool and cotton carpet, which was knotted for about a year. The carpet enhances the beauty of the main prayer hall by covering the floor with a unique harmony and integrating attractive features. An incredible design, resembling the chandelier overhead, has been hand-woven into the carpet below.

The mosque has a total of 82 domes which make it an instantly recognisable landmark. The largest of these can be found in the middle of the main prayer hall and is one of 82. This one is enormous at 85 metres (279 ft) in height and a diameter of 32.8 metres (106 ft). If you get a glimpse inside one of the domes, you'll be treated to some exquisite traditional Moroccan artwork.

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It took 11 hard years to finish the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque's installation started in 1996 but wasn't opened until 2007. It took 38 contracting businesses, almost 3,000 employees, and artisans 11 years to realise this dream. This mosque is a must-see when visiting the United Arab Emirates due to its glistening waters, marble mosaic courtyard, lavish architecture, and timeless magnificence. 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque lives up to its name, with seven opulent crystal chandeliers in the main prayer hall and various foyer entries. These chandeliers, crafted in Germany by Faustig, are highlighted by glass panels encrusted with Swarovski crystals. Brass, stainless steel, and almost 40 kg of galvanised gold make up each chandelier. The greatest of them, the world's second-largest, is displayed in the mosque's main prayer hall. It has a height of 49 feet, a width of 33 feet, and weighs a hefty 12 tonnes. The other six range in mass from 8 tonnes to 2 tonnes. 

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the biggest mosques that can seat over 40 thousand worshippers. The largest prayer hall can accommodate around 7,000 people, and two smaller prayer rooms can host 1,500 people each. The mosque is the primary worship venue for the five daily prayers and the weekly Jumu'ah service. Each Friday, this occurs shortly after noon. If you're nearby when the Jumu'ah starts, you'll hear a billion voices singing in unison, creating the most beautiful sound.

The Sheikh Grand Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is one of a kind since it incorporates several styles of Islamic architecture. Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky drew on Mughal and Persian architectural elements, and Moorish influences when designing this mosque. In addition, the mosque's many parts bear the imprints of Mameluke, Moroccan, and Andalusian styles of Arabic construction. 

The mosque's minarets are a fusion of Ottoman, Mameluke, and Fatimid styles, bringing together different schools of Mughal architecture. Using natural marble with different colours makes for interesting art, like decorated columns with crowns at the bottom instead of the top. This amazing method is unique to Mughal architecture. The exquisite glasswork is another notable aspect where the glass is mosaicked, cut, or sandblasted, revealing typical Mughal patterns of repetition and symmetry.