Reflections in the night - a photo on Flickriver

            Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates and is considered to be the key for worship in the country.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was initiated by the late president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure which unites the cultural diversity of Islamic world, the historical and modern values of architecture and art. His final resting place is located on the grounds beside the same mosque. The mosque was constructed from 1996 to 2007. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth largest mosque in the world. The mosque site is equivalent to the size five football fields approximately.
As the country's grand mosque, it is the key place of worship for Friday gathering and Eid prayers. During Eid it can be visited by more than 40,000 people.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's design and construction 'unites the world', using artisans and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and United Arab Emirates. More than 3,000 workers and 38 renowned contracting companies took part in the construction of the mosque. Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their long-lasting qualities, including marble stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. It was built by the Italian company Impregilo.
The design of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque has been inspired by Persian, Mughal and Moorish mosque architecture, particularly the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco being direct influences. The dome layout and floorplan of the mosque was inspired by the Badshahi Mosque and the architecture was inspired by Persian, Mughal and Moorish design. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish and its minarets classically Arab. The design of the mosque can be best described as a fusion of Arab, Persian, Mughal and Moorish architecture.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has many special and unique elements: The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi.  This carpet measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet and it took approximately two years to complete. 
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height. 
The pools along the arcades reflect the mosque's spectacular columns, which becomes even more glorious at night. The unique lightning system was designed by lightning architects Jonathon Speirs and Major to reflect the phases of the moon. Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and get brighter and darker according to the phase of the moon.
The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are clad with marble and inlaid with mother of pearl, one of the few places where you will see this craftsmanship.
The 99 names (qualities or attributes) of God (Allah) are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufic calligraphy, designed by the prominent UAE calligrapher - Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi. The Qibla wall also features subtle fibre-optic lighting, which is integrated as part of the organic design.
In total, three calligraphy styles – Naskhi, Thuluth and Kufic – are used throughout the mosque and were drafted by Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi of the UAE, Farouk Haddad of Syria and Mohammed Allam of Jordan. 

   

Taken on: March 6, 2014

Tags:

EAU

Moschea

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi

Grand Mosque

Reflections

Asia

Riflessi

Emirati Arabi Uniti

NikonD90

Night shot

RubyFrontpage « less

Sets appears in: • EAU

Groups appears in: • Click! P1-C2 • Liberality (Post 1 / Award 2) more » • ! 90+ Faves (P1,A+F3) • Arches in Architecture • **Super Best Shots on Flickr**/ P.1, A.5 ! NO COMMENT=BAN! • Sólo arquitectura y arte. Only architecture and art • Visionary Arts Gallery Level 1 (P1:A5) • Puentes&Reflejos/ Bridges&Reflections • 100-100-1000 group (p1/f1/c1) • ! !^Make Me Wonder Level 1 • FLICKR EL MÁGICO MUNDO DE LA FOTOGRAFÍA★ ;-)) • CLICK!! ♥ Post 1 / Comment 2 • ! !^Exquisite Art 50+ Faves (Level 1) • Visionary Arts Gallery Level 3 (P1:A3) • Visionary Arts Gallery Level 2 (P1:A5) • Give Me 5 - Award The Next 5 Pictures Immediately! • The Galaxy & Stars 1 (P1/C5 - No Art Images • ! FavTop 100-149 (P1, A+F4) • ! FavTop Plus 200+ (P1, A+F4) • ! FavTop Plus 150+ (P1, A+F4) • THE LOOK level 1 RED • THE LOOK level 2 YELLOW • THE LOOK level 3 ORANGE • THE LOOK level 4 PURPLE • THE LOOK level 5 GREEN • THE LOOK level 6 BLUE • THE LOOK level 7 WHITE • CLOSED - CERRADO - THE LOOK level 8 GOLD • ! !^Make Me Wonder Level 2 • ! !^Make Me Wonder Level 3 • VIA COL VENTO ! GONE WITH THE WIND ! Admin Invite only P1/C2 • BAT'S LAIR ( P 1 X A 3 ) SWEEPER IN OPERATION • InfiniteXposure L4 (P1, A5) • InfiniteXposure L2 (P1, A5) • InfiniteXposure L3 (P1,A5) • InfiniteXposure L5 (P1, A5 ) • InfiniteXposure L6 (P1, A5) • InfiniteXposure L7 (P1, A5) • ! !Photographers Truly Wild! (L1) (P1: FAV/AW3) • Photography Vision « less

Camera: Nikon D90, f/3.8, 1/50 sec, 26mm (=39mm), ISO 800 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D90
Aperture:	f/3.8
Exposure Time:	0.02 sec (1/50)
Focal Length:	26mm (35mm equivalent: 39mm)
ISO:	800
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Auto, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Not Defined
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	paint.net 4.0.5
Show full info

Stats: 53,934 views / 1,226 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: