No visit to Abu Dhabi would be complete without a trip to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque which is the largest in the United Arab Emirates and amongst the ten biggest in the world. The mosque is a photographer’s paradise with loads to photograph, from modern Arabic architecture to candid shots of visitors.
The mosaic on the floor of the inner court is spectacular and the motifs are repeated up the many columns around the mosque. The library is also worth a visit as you can see a huge variety of books on Arabic culture and art.
Heading for Prayers, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Entry is free and there are usually tour guides on hand to show you around and answer your questions. There are restrictions to entry to certain parts of the mosque during prayers, but this is only a minor inconvenience. Don’t forget to wear sensible clothing; long pants for the men and full body cover for the women. There is a free service for women to borrow a hijab for their visit.
My photograph shows a Muslim man on his way to prayers in January this year. It was taken using a Nikon Coolpix P7000 which I think handled the tricky light well.
The mosque can be reached by public transport which is very cheap in Abu Dhabi, but most people take taxis which are also relatively inexpensive.