This tour offers an ideal introduction to the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi city. Departing from the pier drive to the fishing harbor and continue to the Grand Mosque for an inside visit. Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and one of the largest mosque in the world. It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who is also buried at this location. The Mosque is large enough to accommodate 40,000 worshippers. The main prayer hall can accommodate up to 9,000 worshippers. Two rooms next to the main prayer hall, with a 1,500- capacity each, are for the exclusive use of women.
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque achieved a few world records: The carpet laid out on the vast expanse is the “World’s Largest Carpet” made by Iran’s Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. This carpet measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200 weavers, 20 technicians, and 30 workers. The weight of this carpet is 47 tons – 35 tons of wool, and 12 tons of cotton. There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet. This mosque also holds the world’s largest chandelier. There are seven imported chandeliers from Germany and are copper and gold-plated. The largest chandelier has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height. Both of these records were previously held by the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman. After your mosque visit continue the drive to see the Heritage Village which houses a small museum and depicts the daily activities of the Arab community prior to the discovery of oil. Later drive back the pier and return to the ship. |