ABU DHABI

الله أكبر

This is an astoundingly beautiful mosque – ten years to design and another ten to build. It is a fascinating blend of traditional design as implemented with the best of modern technology. We had read about the mosque and decided to take a day trip to the neighbouring city of Abu Dhabi to see it, but we were not prepared for how amazing it actually was to the eye.

We booked with a local tour company the night before – but they never showed up. After waiting far too long, we went downtown to the bus station and caught a bus. The whole process was fairly painless – no hassles, minimal waiting, and inexpensive. In hindsight, this was the best alternative. We could spend the whole day (and early evening) in the mosque and depart when we chose. Busses ran fairly regularly, every hour, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

A sign for visitors about the required level of respectful behaviour – no inappropriate activities or lying down on the carpet in the main hall.

As night falls, the lighting brings a whole new aspect to the building:

Another example of the creative architecture of the UAE. This building was in Abu Dhabi on the way to the mosque.

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