Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to be inaugurated in September 2007

Abu Dhabi, Oct. 29, 2006 (WAM) -- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque would be ready for inauguration in September 2007. The Mosque, which has an area of 22,412 square metres, is the third biggest mosque in the world in terms of total area, trailing only the two Holy Shrines in Mecca and Medina. It is among the world's ten biggest mosques in terms of the size of the building structure, which is being constructed at a total cost of AED2.167 billion.

The late UAE founder and leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, gave the directives in 1996 for the building of the mosque to be provide another Islamic edifice that would contribute to the deepening of Islamic culture, values and understanding and to serve as a centre for Islamic Science.

Construction work on the mosque, which started in 1998 is now 70% complete and is expected to be fully completed in September next year following the directives of President H.H.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to expedite work on the mosque, whose construction is being followed-up closely by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Statistics about the mosque, recently provided by the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA) to the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) showed that the dome on the main building of the mosque is the biggest dome in the world with a height of 83 metres and inner diametre of 32.8 metres. The statistics also showed that the dome which weighs about 1000 tons has been designed from the inside with fibre- solidified gypsum by Moroccan artists.

The mosque, which has the capacity of 40,000 worshippers, has a total of 57 domes of various sizes, with four 107-metre high minarets at its four corners.

Another exceptional feature of the mosque is the fact that it will have the biggest rug in the world cover the floor that spans 5,627 square metres. More than 1,200 weavers, 20 technicians and 30 workers are putting efforts together to weave the carpet which is made of the finest wool being used in this kind of industry.

The mosque, which sits on a platform of about 9 metre high, has 80 toilet facilities and 100 ablution points around it. The height of the platform lifted structure higher to make it clearly visible from all angles.

IRCICA said in a letter to the OIC which contains the statistics that the mosque would be a great attraction to those studying the art of modern Islamic architecture.

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