10 Facts: Sheikh Zayed Mosque Edition

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is one of the largest and most spectacular mosques in the world. Here are some key facts about it:

Name: The mosque is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Zayed was also buried within the mosque's grounds after his death in 2004.

Construction: Construction of the mosque began in 1996 and was completed in 2007. It was officially inaugurated for Eid al-Adha prayers in December 2007.

Size and Capacity: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers, with the main prayer hall capable of holding over 7,000 people. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and one of the largest in the world.

Architects and Materials: The mosque was designed by Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, and its construction involved artisans and materials from various countries, including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, Iran, China, and Greece.

Domes: The mosque is adorned with 82 domes, with the main dome being one of the largest in the world, measuring 85 meters high and 32.8 meters in diameter.

Minarets: There are four minarets, each reaching a height of 107 meters. These minarets combine elements of Ottoman, Fatimid, and Mamluk architecture.

Marble and Decorations: The exterior of the mosque is clad in pure white marble imported from Greece and Macedonia. The walls and floors are decorated with inlays of semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli, amethyst, and jasper, as well as intricate floral patterns.

Chandelier: The mosque houses one of the largest chandeliers in the world, measuring 10 meters in diameter, 15 meters high, and weighing approximately 12 tons. The chandelier is made of Swarovski crystals and 24-carat gold.

Carpet: The main prayer hall's carpet is the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world, measuring about 5,627 square meters. It was crafted by over 1,200 Iranian artisans and weighs around 35 tons.

Open to Visitors: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open to visitors of all faiths. It is an active place of worship but also a major tourist attraction, drawing millions of people each year to admire its architecture and art.