The temple of faith built by gold and divinity together
In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, there is a temple hailed as an architectural wonder - the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the second largest in the Muslim world. It took thirteen years and cost 5.5 billion US dollars to complete. It was built in memory of Sheikh Abu Dhabi, the first president of the United Arab Emirates after its establishment in 1972.
Let me take you to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque to appreciate the wonder of faith carved on the edge of the desert
Enter the world's most expensive mosque
Entering the mosque, beneath your feet lies the world's largest hand-woven Persian carpet, covering an area of 5,627 square meters. Stepping on it feels like walking through a gentle cloud.
Looking up, seven gilded Swarovski crystal chandeliers are like golden forests hanging upside down. The largest one weighs over 12 tons and is inlaid with a million crystals. The brilliant light pours down, as if the entire starry sky has been gently crushed and fallen into the palace of the human world.
Wherever the eyes can reach, there is pure white. White marble from Greece and snowflakes from Italy are transformed into walls, colonnades and domes in the hands of skilled artisans. The jujube leaf patterns wrapped in gold foil at the top of the colonnades symbolize the vitality of the desert and shine with sacred golden light against the white background.
The total number of colonnades amounts to as many as 1,048, each carrying the piety of meticulous carving. The vines and flowers inlaid with various natural gemstones on the walls are like the never-fading desert spring, blooming with the fragrance of faith in the eternity of the stones
The profound humanistic essence within grand architecture
The grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is by no means merely a material accumulation. Its core spirit is deeply rooted in the inclusive philosophy of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan: "True faith is respect and a bridge."
This temple is open to all hearts filled with respect, regardless of nationality or belief. The specially designed guided tour service and detailed introduction to religious culture within the temple are sincere practices of this inclusive concept!
Whether you are a tourist from afar or a devout worshipper, when you are in that grand yet serene space, an indescribable sense of tranquility rises from the bottom of your heart.
Especially at dusk, the golden glow of the setting sun interweaves with the building's own whiteness and the lights, making the entire mosque seem to be enveloped in a holy halo.
As night falls, the soft lights outline the contours of the buildings, like a "City of moonlight" floating in the night, quiet and eternal
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque transcends the realm of religious architecture. It is a monument built on the foundation of faith with the highest craftsmanship and the most beautiful kindness of mankind.
If you plan to travel to Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is definitely a must-visit tourist attraction. It is the most brilliant and enduring expression of humanity's lofty faith and vision of peace
Tourist Tips
Visiting time
Monday to Thursday, 9am-10pm; It is closed from 12pm to 3pm on Friday.
Photography tips
The dress code is extremely strict. Women should wrap their hair and wear long-sleeved robes up to their ankles. Men should wear long trousers and avoid sleeveless tops.
It is recommended to wear long sleeves, long pants or long skirts. Ladies should wear more headscarves. There will be a check at the entrance. All areas except the sightseeing passage are prohibited from entering. In addition, long focal length lenses of 300mm or more are also prohibited from entering!
