Six Grand Mosques to Visit on Your Windstar Cruise in the Middle East

Dominating Abu Dhabi’s skyline with its stunning architecture, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an iconic symbol of faith, culture, and innovation in the United Arab Emirates. Named in honor of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the visionary founder of the UAE, this mosque is a dazzling testament to Islamic artistry and global unity. The mosque can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers, and it is the largest in the UAE. Completed in 2007, the mosque’s white marble façade is adorned with intricate floral designs, reflecting the grandeur of traditional Islamic architecture. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has approximately 1,000 columns, all covered with more than 20,000 marble panels that are inlaid with semi-precious stones, including lapis lazuli, red agate, amethyst, abalone shell and mother of pearl. The mosque’s interior is equally breathtaking, featuring the world’s largest hand-knotted carpet and a chandelier adorned with millions of Swarovski crystals. The “Abu Dhabi City Tour,” which visits the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, is available on the following cruises: Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf, Dubai In-Depth & Persian Gulf Cruise Tour and Emirates, Qatar & the Span of Oman. The “Night Tour of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque” excursion, which features stunning illumination of the main prayer hall and façade, is also available on the Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf cruise.