Sep. 16th, 2009: The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is among the world's most prominent Islamic architectural and iconic structures, according to German freelance journalist and photographer journalist Barbara Schumacher. The architecture of this grand mosque reflects the personal philosophy of the late Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE, who in 1996 planned the mosque that was dedicated at the end of 2007, said Barbara in a recent article.The mosque stands as a symbol of hospitality, openness and tradition, open to visitors from all over the world and members of all religions. The showpiece structure of white marble is located between Abu Dhabi Airport and Abu Dhabi City.

Ranking as the world's third biggest mosque with a total area of 412000 sqm, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque accommodates over 40,000 worshippers who each can find a seat in the building, which was built in the traditional style of the courtyard mosques with shady arcades. It has 4 minarets, a large, 70 m high dome above the main prayer hall and another 81 domes spread out over the building, the world's largest Swarovski chandelier, and a hand-woven carpet from Iran that is 5,627 sqm in size and weighs 47 tons and is considered to be the largest carpet in the world.

Elaborate flower designs are worked into the glass walls and glass doors; the marble columns are decorated with realistic flower mosaics, and flowers in relief adorn the interior walls - very unusual for a mosque. And something else is striking: the rooms are as bright as daylight. The mosque is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the dome, the carpet and the chandelier. The neighboring Sheikh Zayed Mausoleum is not open to the public.