Joanna James
Visitors to the United Arab Emirates should undoubtedly take the opportunity to visit the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. It may be said that your trip to this Middle Eastern destination would be incomplete without experiencing this jaw-dropping creation. Magnificent and extraordinary in every way, this amazing place of worship is sure to enthral the sightseer. Provided below are some useful tips regarding visiting this splendid religious attraction.
Naturally, if you happen to be staying within Abu Dhabi city, it would usually be very simple to get to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque via taxi. On the other hand, if you happen to be based in Dubai – some 150 km away – you could still take the opportunity to visit this marvellous attraction. Whilst there would be a bus service that runs from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, you would also have to undertake several taxi rides to use this service; accordingly, you may feel that taking a direct taxi ride would be a better option.
It could be a good idea to have a substantial breakfast before embarking on your visit to this mosque as there wouldn’t be many restaurants or cafes in the vicinity. However, there would be a Coffee Club outlet on the other side of the road where you could grab a snack or drink.
Unlike at various other tourist highlights, you would find that entry to the Grand Mosque would be totally free of charge. Naturally, this would be another excellent reason to visit this entrancing sightseeing attraction. You would also have the chance to join a free guided tour that would take approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
You would be able to visit this mosque from Saturday through Thursday from 9:00 to 22:00 hours, whilst on Fridays, the available time would be from 16:30 to 22:00 hours. However, the visiting times would be rather different during the time of Ramadan.
Whilst you could enjoy a rewarding visit to this mosque at any time of the day, it could be a good idea to select the early hours of the morning or the late hours of the evening; this way, you could evade the midday heat. If you plan to take photographs, the time of sunset or slightly prior to it would be a good time to head there.
You should undoubtedly take a pair of sunglasses on your visit to the Grand Mosque too; while the sunlight would be strong anywhere in the UAE, the white exterior of the mosque would make a pair of shades a necessity.
As you might expect at a Muslim place of worship, there would be a strict dress code for visitors. Women would be expected to cover up fully and you may be refused entry otherwise. It may be possible to obtain a suitable free-of-charge abaya at the mosque if you are inappropriately dressed. It would be a good idea to join one of the free guided tours offered at the mosque as they would be absorbing and informative.
Naturally, you should strive to enjoy and make the most of your time at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. By visiting this enthralling religious attraction, you could gain an insight into the local culture, obtain an understanding of Islam, and take plenty of memorable photographs as a memento of your trip. After visiting this sacred site, you could head to one of the secluded Abu Dhabi luxury hotels such as the appealingly located Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort for relaxation and wildlife adventures too.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
