OK, I need to admit right up front: I have not been in that many countries. I have not seen or been in that many mosques. But. . .this was the most beautiful mosque I have ever seen.
People told me I had to see it.
I saw it in the distance and marveled.
As I approached it in my taxi and got out, I couldn’t stop taking pictures of it.
The white marble glistened in the sunlight. As I climbed the steps and stood in the courtyard, it was dazzling. Literally blinding.
In this blog post, I just want to show you a few pictures of this mosque – the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi – one the world’s largest mosques. It was initiated by the late President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is reported to have a capacity for an astonishing 41,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers, and the world’s largest hand knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the world’s largest chandeliers – weighing twelve tons.
Here are a few of my pictures below. I hope you can gain just a little bit of an idea of the beauty of this mosque.
The walkways:
The courtyard is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world:
The prayer room was enormous:
The 99 names of God are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional calligraphy and features fibre-optic lighting:
I love Muslims and I love visiting mosques wherever I go.
But nothing compared to this mosque.
It truly was the most beautiful mosque I have ever seen.
(Postscript: there is something more beautiful than this mosque. Something more lasting. More important. I talked to my guide at this mosque about it and in the next post, we shall explore it.)
Wow!! Impressed to see this! :)
Ammar, I wish I was a great photographer like you! These pictures are so amateurish. If you google this place, you will see much more professional, stunning pictures. Pictures more like yours!
The mosque is interesting to be sure but a little too ‘white colored’ on the outside for my tastes. But thanks for sharing. Bless you.
David, thanks for reading. Buildings won’t last forever but they can reveal the creativity which God has kindly given to mankind by His common grace.
thank u mr. mark for this presentation. i think u will visit more mosque in the world. when u come to a mosque it can give u peace and peace
Tasnim, thanks for reading! May I ask: how did you find my blog?
I have been in quite a few mosques and churches in several countries. I find that peace is not dependent upon a building but upon God’s wonderful presence. The amazing thing is that when we invite Him to live in our hearts, He is with us everywhere we go!
A trust in His presence can bring an amazing peace – no matter what kind of building we are in!