Sweet Dream Now, Serene Awakening Later

All we can do now is dream of our next jaunt, and here is an enticing destination awaiting to be discover

ed.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque- both grand and serene- is located in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi. Commissioned by and eponym, founder of the UAE, royal Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque valiantly stands after construction from 1996 to 2007 and costing over 540 million dollars. The end result proved that resources were spent well. The exteriors are dressed in Italian and Greek white marble, but before coming close enough to fawn, you’ll need to advance through pristinely manicured landscaping. Serene and calming pools frame the entire structure. Eighty-two domes hem the skyline, and provide a sense of spiritual aegis. During sunset, stark white domes glimmer against the dimming sky- it is an experience not to be missed.

WHAT TO WEAR AT THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan also chose the location of the site, which is positioned between the Musaffah and Maqta bridges, and 11 meters above sea level. Be sure to make your way through the interior courtyard and into the main prayer hall elegantly dressed in an abaya and black silk headdress.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque employed more than 3,000 artists from the UAE, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, New Zealand, India, Morocco, China, Germany and the UK- a symbol of modernity forged with tradition, through cultural diversity. The mosque is aesthetically therapeutic, with design materials that include marble, ornate ceramics, crystal and gold.

The interior and exterior courtyard remain humble in their glamour- marble and ceramic floral designs are adorned throughout. There are 96 marble columns in the main prayer hall further elevated with mother of pearl. There are extravagant chandeliers (made by German company Faustig) robed in millions of Swarovski crystals in regal suspension. No details were spared, from the ornate ceiling fixtures to the elegant carpets. The main prayer hall is anchored by the largest carpet in the world, weighing 35 tons and spanning more than 60,000 square feet.

Experience the opulence amongst serenity at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.