How To Go To Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, One of The Most Beautiful Worship Place

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, One of The Most Beautiful Worship Place.

As one of the top ten architectural wonders in Abu Dhabi, designed on a a majestically beautiful landscape, The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must visit place in Abu Dhabi. Not only it’s pleased your mind aesthetically with the architecture beauty, it is also a sacred place for worshipers. This Mosque open for Muslims and Non-Muslims as an impressive welcome to the capital city of United Arab Emirates. A visit to this Mosque not only intriguing you with the religious atmosphere, but also a cultural movement where people around the world with background diversity come to visit this wonder place.

Architectural Features

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Its design and construction 'unites the world', using artisans, craftsmen and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and of course the United Arab Emirates. More than 3,000 workers and 38 contracting companies took part in the construction of the Mosque! Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their long-lasting and beautiful qualities, including marble, stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics.

The walls of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque were built entirely of marble from Macedonia. The color white is one of the most astonishing characteristics of the mosque; chosen by the late Sheikh Zayed as an illustration of purity. The marble walls are complimented with colorful stones in the shape of flowers all over the mosque. From the columns to the walls of the entrance, to the main prayer hall, visitors can marvel at the intricate detail of the flowers, giving a pop of color to the beautiful white walls.

The Story Behind

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004) was well known for his contributions as a leader of strong will, insight and vision.  After achieving the foundation of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed was able to instigate and realize great contributions to his country which dramatically altered the life and destiny of his citizens on an economical, intellectual and social level.  He was able to build a modern and sophisticated country while preserving the particular cultural identity of his nation.

Throughout his life-time, Zayed adopted a tolerant version of pure Islamic faith far from fanaticism or extremism.  Zayed’s piousness and purity strengthened his relationship with God, the Almighty.  For him, Islam is the main source of instruction and guidance.  "If people understand Islam properly they will achieve miracles", says Zayed. He adds: “when the Arabs followed the instructions of Islam, they dominated the world achieving glories ".

Giving priority to moral values, Sheikh Zayed believed that developing a culture of tolerance is a project which deserves attention and concern like any other great initiative. To him, tolerance is the evidence of a nation’s vitality and proof of its ability to achieve more advancement and progress.

Understanding human nature, Sheikh Zayed seeks to promote a culture of tolerance able to reconcile the entire human race through the emphasis on the common bonds that link mankind together. Through his insight, Zayed becomes aware of the damaging impact of hostile dialogue on the future of humanity. Therefore, Zayed admires the Islamic faith whose essence is based on respect of human beings regardless of their religion, color, language, origin and traditions. “Islam is great and we should be proud of our religion because Islam is against all forms of racism”, said Zayed. “To stereotype a fellow human being is to deprive him of his humanity”, said Zayed, calling for respect of man who is honored by God, the Almighty.

Visiting The Grand Mosque and The Regulation

General visiting hours are from Saturday-Thursday 9am to 10pm. Kindly note that The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is closed for tourism activities (and open for worship) on Friday mornings, and reopens after 4:30 p.m. for visitors. Daily visiting hours is on Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Friday starting from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Daily Walk-in Tour is on Sunday to Thursday starting from 10 am to 4.45 pm also on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the Holy Month of Ramadan the visiting hours are from 9 am. to 1 pm from Saturday to Thursday. (Last admission at 1:30 pm). General tours during the holy month of Ramadan start at 10a.m. and 11a.m. The tour duration is 45 – 60 minutes. The Mosque does not open its doors for visitors on Fridays during the holy month of Ramadan. The mosque is open during the first day of Eid Al-Fitr (Feast of Breakfast) and Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), from Saturday-Thursday 9am to 10pm.Kindly note that The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is closed for tourism activities (and open for worship) on Friday mornings, and reopens after 4:30 p.m. for visitors. 

Besides day and time schedule, there is one thing you have to put  your concern too as a visitors we should all respect. Mosques hold a religious and sacred position for all Muslims. Visitors to mosques should therefore abide by specific ethics and rules and show their full respect by following the instructions of no transparent (see through) clothing, No shorts and skirts, no sleeveless shirts, no clothing with profanity and no tight clothing, no swimwear and no beachwear. Also you have to adhere of silence visit, non-smoking act (of course), to switch off your mobile phone and to bring no food and drinks.

Friday Sermon

Friday is a very important day for Muslims.  It is more significant and more beneficial than any other day of the week.  It is the day that Muslims gather together to pray in congregation at the mosque. As the word Jumu'ah (the Arabic word for Friday) means ‘to congregate’. On this important day, the Imam stands on the Minbar (pulpit) to deliver a sermon to worshipers before their prayers. Thousands of men and women visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to observe the Friday sermon and perform Friday prayers.

Friday sermons are one and the same in all of Abu Dhabi’s mosques so that a unified message, often related to social and religious practices, is spread to the community. Friday sermons are available on the website of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) and can be downloaded in Arabic, English or Urdu.

Space of Light Photography Competition

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center organizes the Spaces of Light Photography Competition every year, which aims  at representing the aesthetics of Islamic architecture that can be perceived in every corner of this great edifice. This competition endorses the cultural activity that greatly enriches the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular.

A large number of amateur and professional photographers join the competition every year, making it one of the most prominent photography and visual arts competitions in the world. Winners of the different categories receive several cash  and in-kind awards, and their names are announced in an annual ceremony organized by the Center to honour the winners of every category.

Cultural Tour Booking & How to Get There

Complimentary live guided tours with enlightening, professional, and interactive aspects making them one of the UAE's most loved cultural activities for all ages! The standard tour duration is approximately 45 minutes and is led by one of our official SZGMC Tourist Guides in either English and Arabic languages. Your guide will lead you around the mosque interpreting various elements of the arts, culture and Islamic architecture.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque do not offer private bookings for general public; however, you will be booked onto one of our 'walk-in' tours with other visitors. Don’t forget to plan your worship and tour with your family next time you visit Abu Dhabi.

Situated between the three main bridges connecting Abu Dhabi City to the main land (Maqta, Mussafah and Sheikh Zayed bridges). First, you can use taxi, Abu Dhabi’s TRANSAD offer pick-up services by calling their hotline (toll free) number 600535353 or www.transad.ae. You may walk to the taxi designated area in the north car park and wait.

If you desire to try their public transport, there is a bus services. Abu Dhabi has a comprehensive public bus service.  The closest bus station is located approximately 10 minutes walking distance and operates services that take you inside the city. There is this City Bus number 032 dan 052 that stop near the mosque With approximately 5 minutes walk from Al Wahda Mall Bus stop.