Tag Archives: travel blog

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Lots of us have a thing called a “bucket list,” those experiences we wish to have before we pass on from this life. And I’m no different.

Few minutes past 5PM last 19 July, 2014, Saturday, I crossed off one dream that was on my bucket list: a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. It was a wonderful spiritual experience.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was initiated by the late President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is one of Abu Dhabi’s top tourist attractions and the largest religious center in the United Arab Emirates and the 10th largest Mosque in the world.

This mosque is not just a place of tourism but primarily of worship and must be considered sacred at all times. The size of the Mosque is 22,000 square meters and has a capacity of 40,000 people to pray at once.

Dress codes must be observed. Long, loose fitting, ankle length trousers or skirts for women and men. Women must wear a headscarf. Footwear must be removed prior entering the main prayer hall.

I went there for Maghrib (sunset) prayer and stayed there till Isah (night-time) prayer. I wondered around and was stunned by the Islamic architecture, I was really mesmerized by its white and gold color design. While the prayer halls of the mosque are grand and luxurious, the corridors are simple and yet a treat to the eye.

Simply, it’s beyond beautiful.

Hope you will have the chance to visit it one day and see this one-of-a-kind place on Earth.

Peace!