The Grand mosque is like a palace made of white marble. The main dome, minarets, and courtyard of the building are covered in this Macedonian stone. It mixes traditional Islamic art with modern design.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a must-visit for both Muslim and Non-Muslim tourists. But if you plan to get to the mosque, you must be aware of the dress code and rules.
Dress code and rules
Men should wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves, while women should choose loose-fitting, ankle-length skirts or trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Women need to wear a scarf to cover their hair too. If you don’t have the right clothes, the mosque gives visitors traditional clothes, called abayas and kanduras.
During your visit, please be respectful and mindful of the sacred nature of the mosque. Keep your voice low, avoid loud conversations, and avoid showing affection in public.
Photography is allowed inside the mosque, except during prayers. But be careful when you take photos and don’t take pictures of people without asking them first.
Visitors must remove their shoes and place them on the provided shoe racks before entering the prayer halls. The mosque can be reached by wheelchairs, and visitors can borrow them if they need them.
4 interesting questions about Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Where is the Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque?
The official address of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street or Old Airport Road, 5th St, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. You can find the location of the Grand mosque on Google map.
How to get to Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Zayed Mosque?
There are no direct flights from UAE to Abu Dhabi. However, it easily reaches Abu Dhabi by road. It is the best choice, as the travel times are relatively short. You can get to Abu Dhabi from Dubai in approximately 1.5 hours, from Sharjah in around 2 hours, and from Ras al Khaimah in about 3 hours. If you plan a trip to Abu Dhabi from another country you can find the best flight tickets on Mytickets.ae.
The Abu Dhabi International Airport is more than 10 kilometers away from the mosque. If you take a taxi, it will cost about 26-37 dirhams. If you prefer public transportation, the A1 bus service goes from the airport to the mosque. Buses run every 30 minutes from both places and cost above 3 dirhams.
How much does it cost to visit the Grand Mosque?Â
Admission to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is free for everyone. It’s important to keep in mind that the opening hours may change during religious holidays or special events. Before visiting the mosque, you should check the official website or call to confirm.
When is Sheikh Zayed Mosque open to visitors?Â
It is open 24 hours a day for prayers. There are certain times and days of the week when non-Muslim tourists can enter the interior. The mosque is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Saturday to Thursday. On Fridays, you can visit it from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM. During Ramadan, people can go to the mosque from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Why the Shaikh Zayed Mosque is a must-see destination
Sheikh Zayed or Grand mosque in Abu Dhabi is a special place to visit for muslim and non-muslim people. The mosque was built in 2007 and named by the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Zayed. It is one of the richest religious building in the world, despite the Great Mosque of Mecca.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uLAy9Era9w
Sheikh Zayed mosque outside
The Grand mosque courtyard is 17,000 square meters and has the biggest marble mosaic in the world. The mosaic features a floral design, and the marble used in the courtyard came from China, India, Italy, and the UAE.
The Grand mosque is also notable for its lighting system. It is designed to show the moon’s phases. There are 22 light towers, each 30 meters tall, which are programmed to change with the lunar cycle. The light of the mosque can be seen from up to 30 kilometers away.
Abu Dhabi’s Grand mosque inside
You’ll be amazed by what you’ll see when you step inside the Grand Mosque. There is a gargantuan chandelier in the main prayer hall. It is 10 meters long, 15 meters high, and weighs as much as two elephants. The chandelier is made of brass, steel, and sparkling glass. There are thousands of crystals that catch the light and make it glitter.
The world’s largest carpet can be found under your feet. It’s bigger than a football field and covers the whole prayer hall. For two years, 1200 artists had worked on the carpet. It weighs 47 tons and has pretty designs with flowers and shapes in green, blue, and yellow colors.
A visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will leave a lasting impression on all who see it. Â The sacred atmosphere of the mosque can be appreciated by following the dress code and respecting the rules.
