Story of a Trailing Spouse: Sheikh Zayed Mosque...

Salaam,

It was almost noon when we arrived at our Ambassador's residence in Abu Dhabi last Friday. After a short rest, its time to perform the Friday prayer or congregation. The Ambassador then suggested us to go to Sheikh Zayed mosque or more popularly known as the Grand Mosque by the locals.

Named after the first president and founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the construction of this enormous and impressive complex began in the late 1990s and completed in late 2007. To date, it is probably the most imposing religious and national landmark of the capital city and reputedly one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary Emiratis society. With a total area of 22,412 square meters, the complex can accommodate more than 40,000 worshippers including the open prayer halls. Hence it is regarded (by the OIC) as the third largest mosque in the region after the two mosques in Makkah and Medina.

Needless to say, the mosque is simply impressive and awesome, both in its interior and exterior designs and architecture. But one thing that fascinated me most, is the aesthetic and magnificent 5,000 square meters Iranian carpet in the interior prayer hall. Hand-crafted by 1,200 women artisans from the city of Mashhad, it is said to be the largest hand-knotted carpet in the world, consisting of 2,268,000 knots made out of 35 tons of wool and cotton.

Using diverse global features and materials from as far as Morocco, Turkey, Iran, China, Greece, Italy, Germany and as well as the UAE, the building of this majestic mosque is therefore seen as a construction to 'unite the world' and hence a reflection of the spirit of Islam.

Wassalam.