Are you in Abu Dhabi? Then discover the essentials to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi!
Located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest mosque in this small country and the ninth largest in the world. Indeed, the Mosque Sheikh Zayed, named after the first president of the United Arab Emirates, can accommodate up to 40,000 faithful! It is located in the east of the capital, 10 km from the Saint Joseph Cathedral and 130km Dubai . It is famous for its 82 white domes of different sizes that surmount the mosque.
So if you want to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, discover our mini-guide!
History of the Mosque Sheikh Zayed
Photo credit: Flickr – Gilles Messian
The project to build a large emblematic mosque was born in the spirit of the first President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahyane . The construction takes place in Abu Dhabi, its capital, in the largest and richest emigrant of the seven Member States of the United Arab Emirates. His wish was that this place of worship become a national symbol, as well as a compelling proof for Islam of the tolerance and openness of the country on the world. It is therefore in 1995 that the work for the construction of the Mosque, which does not yet bear the name of its sponsor.
In 2004, the steel and concrete structure was completed, as well as the main dome. It was also in November of this year that Sheikh Zayed ben Sultan al Nahyane died before the project ended. His son, Khalifa ben Zayed Al Nahyane , decides to continue the project and give the finished building the name of his father.
In February 2007, Prince Charles de Galles and his wife, Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles, visited the Mosque Sheikh Zayed a few months from the end of the work. It is December 19, 2007 that the Mosque will open its doors for the celebration of the first great prayer, on the occasion of the Aïd al-Adha !
Its construction lasted 12 years and cost about 2 billion dirhams from the United Arab Emirates, or about 400 million euros. It is the fruit of the work of many international engineers and craftsmen, and especially of 2,500 workers, working under more than 40 °C!
What to see and do at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque?
Visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi will allow you to discover a fabulous monument between tradition and modernity. If it was made in a traditional style of Islamic architecture, with its composition of columns (1,048 in total!) and arches surmounted by 82 domes with bright white, these are techniques of craft sculptures and modern reproduction which were used for the construction. It is thus the culmination of modern construction and art techniques. For example, the motives behind the mosque were created in Milan by an Italian graphic art company!
Your visit will allow you to discover the beautiful exterior decorations of the mosque: the Sheikh Zayed Mosque is covered with a fabulous white marble, Carrare marble the most white in the world from the Apuane Alps careers in ! The Great Mosque is the largest marble structure built to date by man. When the twilight approaches, the white marble dyes with enchanting colors: the perfect opportunity to take great photos. At nightfall, the building is lit by many light spots. They form a lunar motif, based on the lunar cycle, which evolves on white marble.
Finally, your visit will continue inside, in the prayer room and around the basins of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The main prayer room is thus dominated by one of the largest chandeliers in the world: 10 meters in diameter, 15 meters high, for more than 9 tons. Your walk will lead you to the middle of this harmonious maze of columns, on a magnificent Persian carpet, one of the largest in the world, designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi and then directed by 1,200 Iranian tissors!
Thinking basins surround the mosque. They deceive the beauty of the place, with their soft colors of white and gold that scintillate in the bright sunlight. At night, it is replaced by a unique lighting system that also reflects the phases of the moon.
Book voting ticket for the guided tour of the Mosque Cheikh Zayed
How to visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi?
Photo credit: Flickr – Gilles Messian
To help you prepare your visit, we have listed the main information to know:
- It is a religious site. Visitors must therefore comply with rules and have one proper dress (no legs/shoulders discovered, no transparent outfits or clothing stuck to the body, veil on the head for women...). Women’s veils can be provided at the site entrance. For more information, please consult the official site of the Mosque ). - It is forbidden to have to eat or drink . - ♪ children are welcome. - Des sanitation are available on site. - Guided tours last between 45 minutes and 1 hour . - The site provides wheelchairs which may be ordered from security personnel. - There are also cars that allow it transfer of visitors between the car parks and the starting point of the visit.
How to go to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi?
- By car
The best way to access the Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Mosque is to use your car if you opted for the car rental When you arrive, or take a taxi. The mosque is located east of the city, at the following address: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street – Abu Dhabi .
- By bus
You can also use the city’s bus network and stop at the Grand Mosque – Wahat al Karama stop with bus 094.
- From Dubai
You can also visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque from Dubai , which is less than 1h30 drive (short half a day’s visit, i.e. visits are in English, German or Italian). Besides the car and the taxi, you can also get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai by bus. They usually leave Gubiba Station in Bur Dubai every 40 minutes for about 25 dirhams per trip. This is the cheapest option.
Cheikh Zayed Mosque fares in Abu Dhabi
Good news! You can visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi for free: admission and free visits are free . However, during certain special events, it is possible that the visit is paid – which is quite rare.
HORARI
Unlike other mosques in the capital of Emira, the Mosque Sheikh Zayed is open daily to visitors, except Friday morning, time slot dedicated to the faithful.
Here are the opening hours to visit the Mosque Sheikh Zayed:
- From Saturday to Thursday : from 9H to 22H (last entry to 21H30) - Friday : from 16:30 to 22:00,(last entry to 21:30)
Good to know. : During the Sacred Month of Ramadan, the mosque is open every day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last entrance at 1:30 p.m.), except on Friday when it is closed. The mosque is closed on the first day of the Aïd El Fitr and the Aïd Al Adha.
If you want to know everything about the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, know that you can also enjoy a guided tour of the Mosque the other days of the week. This will be in English.
Small trick: the best time to visit the Mosque Sheikh Zayed is certainly before sunset. It’s a wonderful time to take pictures. You can also see the mosque of day, dusk and night.
Loading comments ...