Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
About Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a vast architectural work of art that purposefully mixes several Islamic architectural styles. It is one of the world's biggest mosques. It has 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24-carat gold gilt chandeliers, and the biggest hand-knotted carpet in the world. One of the world's biggest chandeliers hangs in the main prayer hall.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was developed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to communicate historic significance and to symbolize the Islamic teachings of peace, tolerance, and diversity. He envisioned the Grand Mosque as a living example of modern Islamic architecture that bridges the gap between the past and the present, as well as a center for Islamic research and study that reflects real Islamic principles.
The mosque's collection of 82 domes, the biggest of which is placed in the center of the main prayer hall, is perhaps the most prominent feature. Pure white marble cladding, onion-shaped ‘crowns,' and crescent-shaped finials with gold-glass mosaic adorn the domes. The minarets of the mosque blend Mameluke, Ottoman, and Fatimid architectural styles in a way that unifies many Islamic architectural styles into a single work of art and beauty. The use of natural multi-colored marble produces unique aesthetic results, such as ornamented crowned columns with crowns at the bottom rather than the top. This remarkable method is a first in Islamic architecture.
The colors of the walls, columns, and carpet have been harmonised in such a way that the mosque has been transformed into an aesthetic marvel and a symphony of colors and hues.
The beautiful glass work is another notable aspect. Traditional Islamic motifs of symmetry and repetition are shown in mosaic, carved, and sand-blasted glass.
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