Simply Abu Dhabi XXIX

1 0 3 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I lighting on the walls and minarets becomes more brilliant. Night or day, the GrandMosque shines its serene light across the Abu Dhabi horizon for all to see, serving as our touchstone, our inspiration, and our welcome home. The Grand Mosque’s original architect was Yusef Abdelki from Syria, and over the 11 years of construction, literally thousands of incredibly talented artists, engineers, architects, designers, and contractors made enduring contributions to what would become one of the world’s most iconic and beloved landmarks. The mosque combines elements of different kinds of Arabic architecture in a unique way. This was a deliberate choice, with the goal of creating a harmonious blend of diverse Islamic styles into one comprehensive celebration of a culture that is remarkable rich in art and beauty. For example, the Grand Mosque’s superb archways and glorious gardens evoke Moorish architecture, while its domes call to mind the characteristic Ottoman style. But of course, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is utterly, wonderfully unique as well. It’s full of artistic inspiration and design touches that reflect the myriad creative minds from all over the world who have added to the site’s universal appeal. The use of pure white as the dominant colour stems from Sheik Zayed’s view that it symbolises piety and purity, and the white marble that characterises the walls and columns serves as a canvas of sorts for the countless works of craftsmanship that amaze visitors and humble worshippers at every turn.