Diljit Dosanjh visits Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Know its historical significance

It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, and one of the largest places of worship in the world.

New Delhi | November 16, 2024 06:00 PM IST

3 min read

Diljit visits Abu Dhabi as a part of his DIL-LUMINATI TOUR. (Source: @diljitdosanjh/Instagram)

Diljit Dosanjh’s recent trip to Abu Dhabi as part of his “Dil-luminati Tour” gave us a glimpse into his Mediterranean retreat. Pictures of him from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque––dressed in traditional attire––are making rounds on the Internet. His travel escapades make us want to get on a plane and leave our responsibilities behind. History enthusiasts, meanwhile, found this particular choice of destination fascinating. In case you are curious, indianexpress.com found out the historical significance of the mosque.

The largest in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque boasts massive architectural work celebrated for its grandeur and intricate design. According to its official website, the mosque features 82 domes, more than a thousand columns, 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers and the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall also has one of the world’s largest chandeliers.

The mosque was envisioned by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. He aimed to create a space that represented the moderation of Islam, conveying messages of peace, tolerance, and diversity.

The first considerations to build the Mosque began in the late 1980s, the construction began on November 5th, 1996, and it opened for worship on Eid Al Adha in the year 2007.

The construction of the grand Mosque took approximately 11 years and its design and construction made use of artisans, craftsmen, and materials from all over the world, including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece. More than 3,000 workers and 38 contraction companies participated in the construction.

The website also mentions that the domes feature pure white marble cladding, onion shaped ‘crowns’, and crescent-shaped finials decorated with gold-glass mosaic. The mosque’s minarets combine Mameluke, Ottoman and Fatimid styles in a manner that fuses diverse Islamic architectural styles into one expression of art and beauty. Another important feature is the artistic glass work. Mosaic, carved and sand-blasted glass displays traditional Islamic designs of symmetry and repetition.

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The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is situated between the three main bridges connecting Abu Dhabi to the mainland – Maqta, Mussafah, and Sheikh Zayed. While the regular visiting hours are from Saturday to Thursday, 9 AM to 10 PM, on Fridays, it remains open from 9 AM to 12 PM and reopens at 3 PM and remains open till 10 PM.

They offer free guided walk-in tours every day that take 30 to 45 minutes. These tours are led by an official cultural tour specialist who takes people around the mosque, explaining various elements of the architecture and Islamic culture.

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