Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Summary PDF

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Summary 1. The Founder's Vision: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan aimed to build a mosque symbolizing Islamic moderation. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is now a major global landmark, promoting cross-cultural communication and tolerance. Construction began in 199...

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Summary 1. The Founder's Vision: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan aimed to build a mosque symbolizing Islamic moderation. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is now a major global landmark, promoting cross-cultural communication and tolerance. Construction began in 1996 and completed in 2007, taking 11 years with contributions from artisans and materials from across the world. 2. Architectural Highlights: - Domes: The mosque features 82 domes, with the largest having a 32.6-meter diameter and a height of 84 meters. Inspired by Moroccan and Mughal styles, the domes feature intricate Quranic verses and are adorned with gold-glass mosaics. - Minarets: Standing 107 meters tall, the mosque's four minarets blend Islamic architectural styles from various periods. - White Marble: 165,000 square meters of SIVEC marble from Macedonia cover the mosque, symbolizing purity, virtue, and peace. 3. Design Elements: - The Courtyard (Sahan): Covers 17,400 square meters, adorned with 30 types of marble and 9 million mosaic pieces. The courtyard design includes floral patterns created by British artist Kevin Dean. - Columns: The mosque's 1,096 exterior columns are clad in white marble and inlaid with semi- precious stones using the Pietra Dura technique, also seen in the Taj Mahal. - Reflective Pools: Surround the mosque, creating stunning night-time reflections with a lunar illumination system. 4. Interior Features: - Carpet: The world's largest hand-knotted carpet (5,400 square meters) adorns the main prayer hall, designed to reflect the mosque's chandeliers. - Chandeliers: Seven grand chandeliers, made with Swarovski crystals, light up the prayer hall. The largest chandelier measures 12 meters in diameter. - Mihrab and Minbar: The Mihrab, designed with golden mosaic, and the Minbar (pulpit) made from cedar wood, are prominent features of the mosque's prayer area. - Qibla Wall: Features 99 names of Allah in Kufic calligraphy, symbolizing divine qualities. - Interior Columns: 96 columns in the main prayer hall are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and designed to resemble date palms. 5. Lighting and Aesthetic Design: - Lunar Illumination: The mosque's lighting system reflects the phases of the moon, changing intensity throughout the lunar cycle. - Glass Doors and Walls: Intricate designs on glass doors and walls bring in natural light, adding to the serene atmosphere inside. Summary of Louvre Abu Dhabi and Important Points: 1. Construction and Design: - Architect: Jean Nouvel, also known for the Arab World Institute in Paris. - Construction: Began on March 26, 2009, and completed by November 8, 2017. - Size and Location: The museum spans 24,000 square meters on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. 2. Purpose: - Designed to be a link between Eastern and Western art, reflecting the oneness of global culture. The museum exhibits artistic artifacts from across the world, fostering intercultural understanding. 3. Cultural Complex: - The Louvre Abu Dhabi is part of a larger cultural development on Saadiyat Island, including other museums such as: - Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry. - Zayed National Museum, designed by British architects Foster and Partners. - Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid. 4. Costs: - The Louvre Abu Dhabi project involved significant investments: - $195 million to use the Louvre name. - $747 million for arranging and organizing exhibitions, including displaying 253 art pieces over ten years. - A total estimated cost of €83 to €108 million. 5. Interior and Structure: - The museum covers 97,000 square meters in total, resembling a mini-city or archipelago. - It includes 55 white buildings inspired by traditional Arab architecture. - Exhibition halls span 6,400 square meters, containing 600 permanent artworks and 300 loaned pieces. - Dome: The iconic dome, 180 meters in diameter, consists of eight layers with 7,850 geometric openings. The dome took two years to construct and is a centerpiece of the museum’s architecture. 6. Art and Exhibitions: - The museum hosts both permanent and temporary exhibitions, with 23 permanent exhibition halls covering various historical eras and cultures. - Around 2,000 square meters are reserved for temporary exhibitions. --- Summary of Dubai Tourism and Key Attractions: 1. Tourism Resources: - Dubai, founded in 1833, began its rapid development after the discovery of oil in 1966. - Anticipating the decline of oil, Dubai diversified its economy, focusing on trade and tourism. 2. Tourism Statistics: - In 2023, Dubai ranked as the third most visited city in the world, with 17 million international visitors. - Dubai is home to over 800 hotels with more than 150,000 rooms. 3. Key Developments: - Dubai’s economy was diversified by establishing ports (e.g., Jebel Ali Port) and upgrading Dubai International Airport, making the city a major hub for trade and tourism. - Significant tourism-focused developments include: - Burj Khalifa: The tallest structure in the world (829.8 m), designed to be the centerpiece of Downtown Dubai. - Burj Al Arab: A seven-star luxury hotel situated on an artificial island, symbolizing Dubai's luxury destination status. 4. Cultural Landmarks: - Al Fahidi Fort: Dubai’s oldest structure, dating back to 1787, now houses the Dubai Museum. - Dubai Miracle Garden: The world’s largest flower garden, launched in 2013, spanning 72,000 square meters with over 50 million flowers. 5. Festivals and Events: - Dubai hosts a range of international festivals, including: - Dubai Shopping Festival, Art Dubai, Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai World Cup, and Taste of Dubai.