The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is imposing and beautiful – perhaps the most stunning structure in this modern city littered with immense and stunning structures rising out of the desert floor.

The courtyard, paved in a floral marble mosaic is approximately 180,000 square feet. The hand-made carpet inside is believed to be the largest in the world, measuring over 60,000 square feet, and weighing 35 tons. The chandeliers hanging in the center of the main rooms are studded with thousands of Swarovski crystals.

Over 3,000 people were employed in the mosque’s construction, from 1996 to 2007. Artisans and materials came from countries around the world, from India to the United Kingdom, and Italy to New Zealand. It is hard to comprehend the expense and the labor lavished on of this place of worship — intended as a monument to Islamic diversity and historical and modern art and architecture, according to the Sheikh after which it is named.