THE Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) is to continue its complimentary guided tours of the capital’s Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque during Ramadan.
The tours, which will begin at 10 am and last for approximately one hour, are being adapted to include insights into the practices of the Holy Month to give visitors a greater understanding of it.
“Though the mosque receives a greater number of worshippers during Ramadan we have agreed the tours should continue with our highly trained guides building aspects of the traditions of this special time into their delivery of the experience,” said Nasser Al Reyami, director tourism standards, ADTA.
“The adapted tour is greatly in keeping with the spirit of cross cultural understanding which the building of the mosque and its opening to the public represent. Our late UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, commissioned this cultural landmark as a means of nurturing greater understanding between people of different nations and we believe the Ramadan mosque tour will live up to this legacy.”
The spectacular Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque is one of the world’s largest mosques. Its seven, 24-carat gold-plated German chandeliers are all designed with thousands of Swarovski crystals, with the main dome chandelier considered the world’s largest at 10 m wide, 15 m high, and weighing about nine tonnes. Four minarets soar more than 107 m into the sky and look down upon the mosque’s 57 white marble domes. The building can house up to 40,000 worshippers, many of whom kneel to pray on the world’s largest hand made carpet, which measures 5,627 sq km.
Since ADTA’s guided tour of the mosque began 18 months ago, they have received widespread acclaim from the many thousands of visitors from over 200 countries who have joined the tour. The mosque is now a highlight of VIP visits to the emirate with Hollywood movie stars, presidents of nations and overseas royalty being among the many who have toured the landmark. For tour bookings visit www.visitabudhabi.ae