Photos of Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi -- National Geographic

Sheikh Zayed Mosque
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
An Abu Dhabi landmark, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque was the vision of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates. Its construction was finished after the leader’s death in 2004.
Minaret
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
The largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Mosque has four 350-foot minarets, 82 white marble domes, and what’s possibly the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet.
Courtyard
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
Inlaid flowers wind across the mosque’s 183,000-square-foot marble courtyard.
Courtyard
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
About 30 different types of marble—from as far away as China and Italy—were used throughout the mosque.
Main Prayer Room
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
The mosque’s main prayer room can hold more than 7,000 worshippers. The hall’s 96 columns are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Chandelier
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
The main prayer’s room chandelier—a massive light stretching more than 32 feet across and 49 feet high—is decorated with Italian glass and Swarovski crystals.
Main Prayer Room
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
The mosque’s Qibla wall (the wall that faces Mecca) features the 99 names of Allah written in calligraphy and illuminated with fiber-optic lighting. The hand-knotted carpet was made in Iran.
Courtyard
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
Women pass through a marble courtyard decorated with floral inlays.
Window
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
A window looks out on the mosque’s main courtyard, which can hold more than 22,000 faithful.
Dome
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
The sun lowers over the Sheikh Zayed Mosque and one of its 82 white marble domes.
Courtyard
Photograph by Dave Yoder, National Geographic
Worshippers cross the mosque’s main courtyard as evening falls. The mosque’s namesake, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, was buried here.