In the UAE, they opened the third largest mosque in the world

Abu Dhabi - This week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) opened the third largest mosque in the world. It can accommodate over 40,000 people and experts describe it as an architectural gem. Unlike the mosques in Mecca and Medina, non-Muslims are allowed to enter. The vast white complex is adorned with minarets and domes, and the interior is embellished with carpets and massive chandeliers. This was reported today by the AFP agency.
   Following the mosques in Mecca and Medina, this is the third largest building of its kind in the world. It is named after the first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and is located in Abu Dhabi.
   While in Mecca and Medina, which are the cradle of Islam, non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the mosques, in Abu Dhabi, tourists can get inside. Women are expected to don black abayas, which are flowing loose garments provided at the entrance. Non-Muslims are also advised not to touch the copies of the Quran that are placed in the prayer rooms.
   The project's deputy director, Khawla Sulaiman, stated that tourists equipped with cameras have been flocking to the mosque since December, although it will be fully completed only next November. The construction decision was made in 1998 by Sheikh Zayed, who passed away four years ago and is buried close to the mosque.
   At his request, the building is situated on an elevated site to be visible from afar. It spans 22,000 square meters, and the main construction work has already been completed. Only the landscaping, fencing, and parking areas remain to be finished. The primary material used was Italian marble.
   Four minarets rise to a height of 107 meters, and the roof features 82 domes of seven different sizes. Inside, there are 96 columns, and outside there are 1,058 columns. Under the guidance of Moroccan architects, foreign workers, primarily Indians and Pakistanis, built the mosque.
   The interior walls are inlaid with gemstones arranged into ornaments. The most attractive part of the interior is a hand-woven Iranian carpet covering an area of 6,000 square meters, making it the largest in the world. It took 1,200 weavers from eastern Iran's Khorasan two years to complete it. The carpet weighs 45 tons, and its estimated value is $8.5 million (141 million CZK). It has been laid out in the main prayer hall, where up to 9,000 Muslims pray on it.
   There are also smaller prayer rooms in the mosque, one of which is reserved for women. These rooms are equipped with large television screens on which attendees can watch the prayer in the main hall.
   Although the official price of the building is not known, Sulaiman speaks of two billion dirhams, which is approximately nine billion CZK.
   The UAE consists of seven emirates, all of which are absolute monarchies except Abu Dhabi. Their rulers elect the president of the federation from among themselves. The structure of Abu Dhabi resembles more of a constitutional monarchy. The local authorities are trying to offer as many cultural attractions as possible so that tourists do not come only for shopping, as is often the case in Dubai. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque will undoubtedly be one of them, claims the AFP agency.