The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. It’s a breathtaking place. The architecture is really amazing with all the marble and the gold details. Trust me, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a place that’s going to leave you speechless. It’s totally worth the visit and in this post I’m going to tell you everything you need to know if you’re planning to visit the mosque.
History
Sheikh Zayed Mosque was constructed between 1996 and 2007. The Grand Mosque takes its name from the UAE’s first president. The architecture was inspired by the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Egypt. Sheikh Zayed aimed to establish a historical Mosque turning it into a living reference in modern Islamic architecture. The pure white colour of the Mosque has become one of its most distinguishing characteristics. Artisans and material came from all over the world like Italy, Macedonia and India.
Everything you need to know
- As a religious place, the entrance is free;
- It’s open to non-Muslim visitors;
- It’s open from 9 AM to 10 PM (except on Fridays when the mosque is only open to visitors after 4:30 PM);
- Make sure to check the schedule before you plan your visit during Ramadan, as the schedules may change;
- There are free guided tours that last around 45 minutes to an hour;
- There are very strict rules for your entrance so you need to pay special attention to what you’re wearing. You need to cover yourself from head to toe and cover your hair with a scarf. The recommendation is to wear modest, loose fitting clothing, long sleeves, long skirts or trousers;
- They will also ask you to remove your shoes;
- The mosque offers a traditional abaya prior to entry if you need one;
- Intimate behaviour like holding hands or kissing is not acceptable in the mosque;
- Personal food and refreshments are not allowed;
- If you’re staying in Dubai, you can do a day trip to the Mosque. It’s around 2 hours drive. I booked a Abu Dhabi City Tour with Arabian Adventures.
HOW TO GET GOOD PHOTOS
Visitors aren’t allowed to walk in the middle of the Mosque, which means you can get a clear view any time of day, unless you want clear photos of the hallways. Sunrise views are impossible so, if you’re more interested in the perfect golden hour light, go for sunset.
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