Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the U.A.E. The largest mosque in the country, it is the key place of worship for daily prayers. A smaller replica of the grand mosque exists in the Indonesian city of Surakarta.
History of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The construction of the Grand Mosque took place from 1994 to 2007, with its inauguration occurring in December 2007. Spanning approximately 290 by 420 meters (950 by 1,380 feet), the building complex covers over 12 hectares (30 acres), excluding exterior landscaping and vehicle parking. Notably, the main axis of the mosque is rotated about 12° south of true west, aligning it with the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
This monumental project was initiated by the late president of the U.A.E., Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the vision of creating a structure that would harmonize the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the timeless values of architecture and art. Tragically, Sheikh Zayed passed away in 2004 and was laid to rest in the courtyard of the mosque.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) offices are housed within the west minarets, overseeing the day-to-day operations and functioning as a hub of learning and exploration through its educational and cultural initiatives. Additionally, the mosque features a library located in the northeast minaret, offering a wealth of classic books and publications covering various Islamic subjects, including sciences, civilization, calligraphy, arts, and numismatics. The library’s collection encompasses materials in multiple languages such as Arabic, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Korean, providing a valuable resource for the community and visitors alike.
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