What is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque?
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi. Opened in 2007, it can hold over 40,000 worshippers and is famous for its white marble, 82 domes and one of the world's largest hand-knotted carpets. It's open to visitors of every faith, free of charge.
Who built it
The mosque was the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE. He wanted a place that combined architectural styles from across the Muslim world and welcomed people of all backgrounds. He passed away in 2004 and is buried in the grounds, beside the mosque. It opened for worship in 2007, during Ramadan.
Highlights inside and out
- White marble and domes: 82 domes and four minarets of about 107 metres, with flower designs inlaid in semi-precious stones.
- The carpet: a single hand-knotted carpet covering the main prayer hall, made by around 1,200 artisans in Iran.
- Chandeliers: huge gold and crystal chandeliers hanging from the main domes.
- Reflective pools: at night, lighting that changes with the phases of the moon.
Like every mosque, it also has the basic features you'd see in your local masjid: a mihrab facing the qibla, a minbar, wudu areas and separate spaces for women. See What are the parts of a mosque?
Visiting the mosque
- Entry: free, usually with a quick online booking. Tourist visits pause during prayers, and Friday mornings are for worshippers only.
- Dress: loose clothing covering arms and legs; women cover their hair. Abayas are often available on site.
- Tours: free guided tours explain Islamic beliefs and the building's design.
Non-Muslim friends and family are warmly welcomed; it's one of the most visited places in the UAE. See Can I visit a mosque if I'm not Muslim?
Dressing well for the mosque
The strict dress code isn't about the building's fame. It reflects a general Quranic instruction for any mosque:
For what to wear at your local mosque, see What should I wear to the mosque?
One note: in Islam, only three mosques are special destinations of worship journeys: in Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem (Sahih al-Bukhari 1189). Visiting beautiful mosques like this one as a traveller is fine, but the reward of a prayer there is like any other mosque.
- The UAE's largest mosque, in Abu Dhabi, opened in 2007.
- Holds over 40,000 worshippers; 82 domes and white marble.
- Free to visit for everyone, with a modest dress code.
- Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's founder, is buried there.
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