A Muslim’s house of worship, the mosque, comes from the Arabic masjid which conveys the sense of prostration. This is where believers bow down and prostrate in prayer. Although prayers can be done privately, either indoors or outdoors, every community of Muslims dedicates a space or building for congregational prayer. And Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, furnishes its residents with a very grand mosque indeed.
Inside Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi: f/3.5; 1/60sec; ISO-400
Most mosques are open for the five daily prayers, as well as at other times for administrative or community needs. While it is not required to perform every prayer in a mosque, many Muslims prefer to gain the reward of worshiping in a congregation whenever possible. Muslims may also choose to pray at home, in their office, outdoors, or in any other clean location.
Looking into Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi: f/3.5; 1/60sec; ISO-200
Due to the strict prohibition of any form of idolatry or anything that might lead to it, pictures and statues are absent from mosques. The room used for prayer (called a musalla) is empty and spacious, with carpets on the floor. If it is decorated, calligraphy inscriptions or arabesque designs on the walls or ceiling are what you’ll find.
Looking Above within Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi: f/3.5; 1/25sec; ISO-100
There are some features that all mosques have in common such as the minaret for the sounding of call to prayer, a prayer hall void of embellishments and that ornamental niche or indentation in the wall inside the mosque called a mihrab, which marks the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays during salah. This direction, or qiblah, is fixed as the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
These parts of a mosque are practical, and provide both continuity and a sense of tradition among Muslims worldwide. But there is one feature of Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Grand Mosque that is unique and spectacular…
Zayed Grand Mosque’s Chandelier, Abu Dhabi: f/4; 1/60sec; ISO-400
Zayed Grand Mosque features seven 24-carat gold-plated chandeliers which were imported from Germany, all adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals. This is the largest of these chandeliers, hanging from the main dome of the Mosque. It is considered to be the biggest in the world, measuring fifteen metres in height, and nine tonnes in weight. Hung of course, in the glory of God. And grand indeed.
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