Grand Mosque, Dubai
The Grand mosque is one of the largest mosques in Dubai which must be seen during Dubai travel. It is a superb Dubai attraction and has a capacity to accommodate up to 1200 worshippers in United Arab Emirates. It opened in 1900 A.D as a Kuttab or a Quranic school. The Grand Mosque of Dubai was rebuilt in 1998. It has the tallest minaret in Dubai which rises up to 70 meters.
The Grand Mosque consists of 45 small domes apart from 9 large ones. It is located on the Bur Dubai side of the creek very close to the Ruler’s Court. The mosque is noted for its sand colored walls, stained glass panels, and wooden shutters. It is an important monument of Dubai and the main center of worship.
The wooden shutters and sand colored walls of the new Grand Mosque blends nicely with the ancient quarter of Bur Dubai and is famous for its elaborate design and size. The mosque is beautifully lit around night which is the perfect time to see the mosque.
The Grand Mosque of Dubai contains blue mosaic work and is constructed in Persian style. The mosque also has superb sand colored facades and domes as well as wooden structures and handmade stained glass. Those who are not Muslims cannot gain entry in the Grand Mosque. But they can see the minaret and take pictures of the mosque from there.
Grand Mosque of Dubai-Location
Situated next to the Grand Mosque of Dubai are the Heritage and Diving Villages which give an interesting account of early life in Dubai. In ancient times, the main activities of Dubai were pearl diving and dhow building. You can see picturesque scenes depicting the traditional nomadic life of the Bedouins in the village. You can also find models or replicas of an old styled coffee house, Persian homes, and a small souk where flat grilled bread can be bought. You can also find a museum nearby that contains authentic pieces of archaeological sites.
The Grand mosque Bur Dubai is a recreation of the Grand mosque of 1900’s. This is a must see locale and a part of Dubai tours which must be seen during your visit to Dubai. The original Grand Mosque, built here in 1900, was the architectural model for the newer building.
Although most of the in the UAE are not accessible to non-Muslims, this superb building is an exception. An organization founded in 1999 namely the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, dedicated to the promotion of Muslim culture, conducts guided tours of the Grand Mosque on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visitors to Dubai can not only get details of the hand-crafted details of the interior design, but can also have knowledge about the basics of Islamic practices. The mosque attracts a large number of believers all the year round as it is Bastakiya’s landmark and the emirate’s most prominent Islamic place of worship.
Grand Mosque along near Ruler’s Court in Al Mussalla Road, Dubai, is also known as Al-Jumeriah Mosque. This mosque is one of the most photographed building in Dubai. The most striking feature of a majority of Islamic architecture including this one is the one which focuses more on the interior space than on the outside or façade. The roots of traditional Islamic art and architecture lies in the 7th-century Syrian culture from where it spread to include the art and architecture from South Asian and Atlantic regions also.