The white marble of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi sparkles in the sun. Decorated with flower motifs, gold leaf and gems, this is one of the most beautiful attractions in the country. At night, the mosque is romantically lit, evoking a feeling of the book One Thousand and One Nights.
Completed in 2007, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque was commissioned by Sheikh Zayid bin Sultan al Nuhayyan, the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates. He is buried in the adjacent mausoleum. The mosque is open to everyone: the sheikh also wanted to give non-Muslims a place that would provide a pleasant introduction to Islam. Inside, visitors must be dressed in long sleeves and long trousers, and women are to wear a head scarf (available at the entrance). The rooms with their stunning domes and pillars are a feast for the eyes. Even the toilets are beautifully decorated.