Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

 

A city beach in Abu Dhabi with skyscrapers in the background.

After Dubai, our next stop was Abu Dhabi, which is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. It has lovely clean beaches right in the city,  and like Dubai, it is an impressive modern city with countless skyscrapers everywhere. Many of the building designs are very creative. 

The Fairmont Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The highlight was a visit to the Grand Mosque, or Sheik Zayed Mosque, named after the first ruler of the UAE.



 It is the 8th largest mosque in the world, and is stunningly beautiful inside. It has the largest handmade carpet in the world, the largest chandelier, 80 domes and 1,000 columns. The interior decoration is made up of hand pieced marble inlay in the floors and relief inlays on the walls. In keeping with Muslim beliefs, the decoration is only Islamic Koran verses in the quite lyrical Arabian script, and botanical images of vines and flowers. The effect is incredibly beautiful!


A worship area with the podium for the Iman to lead prayer.

One of the halls.

Detail of colored semiprecious stone wall decoration.

Intricate colored marble floral inlay in the floors

 It is reached by a long underground tunnel lined with shops and cafes ( including Starbucks, Macdonald's and Cinnabon!) They have golf cart transport for those who have trouble making the walk. The mosque is also equipped with very high tech lighting and electronics. 

To visit the mosque dress codes are strictly enforced, and women must have hair covered with a scarf and the body covered including wrists and ankles. Men can wear short sleeves, but must wear long pants.


You do what you gotta do!








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