A Mosque Must See

The Grand Mosque was constructed between 1994 and 2007 and was inaugurated in December 2007. The mosque is named from Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art. In 2004, Sheikh Zayed died and was buried in the courtyard of the mosque. I took the underground train to Abu Dhabi station. yes this station name is "Abu Dhabi". then walked about 12-15 mins on the underground with air con. Anyone would need to walk in a air conditioning environment. It is very hot and almost impossible to walk outsides for that long. It is very hot in Abu Dhabi. The temperature can reach 40 degree during the day. Also another advantage to walk underground, you will see some shops and sure you would stop and look at those shops. Once I arrived the exit of on the underground, took the escalator to come up to the ground level Gradually you will find you are going into anther world and explore to a new culture and sight in front of you, the "Grand Mosque". It is free to go into the Mosque, but you will expect it will have a long queue to go into the Mosque. Everyone visits Abu Dhabi, sure will come to see this unique and beautiful construction. However, all the people are follow the queue slowly and it didn't a long time before I got into the Mosque. Whatever religions you have, I believe you will be amazed and surprised to see this architecture. At the entrance you are required to take off your shoes and leave them outsides. Shoe racks have been provided outsides the entrance, you need to remember when you left your shoes at the beginning otherwise it will be difficult for you to locate your shoes at the end. For men, we need to wear a long pants and women are required to cover the any dress longer than their keens. Once I got into the Mosque, just like everyone followed the queue to walk around to see the external architecture and the building. I can assure you there is not much chance for me to stop and take a few photos, because there are too many people and the announcement keep remind everyone keeps moving. After circle the building once, I finally arrived insides the hall where they pray. I couldn't believe the hall is so big just like a big stadium as built insides the Mosque. There are some beautiful & Middle Eastern style chandeliers hanging insides the hall. You are not allowed to go insides the hall, there are barrier that stop people right at the entrance of the hall, so you can only stand by the entrance to look insides. The Grand Mosque is one of must visit on your list if you visit Abu Dahbi.