ABU DHABI – Leading travel website, TripAdvisor, has named the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi one of the world's most talked about attractions. The cultural gem notched up more than 1,400 reviews on the website reported 7days on Monday. The mosque, which opened its doors to more than 4.6 million visitors and worshippers in 2012 alone, was part of a line-up that included, the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, Sydney Harbor, New York's Central Park and Table Mountain in Cape Town. “To be included in a list of some of the world's most renowned attractions, and to be voted there by our visitors, is significant recognition of both the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's beauty, the work of everyone involved in promoting it and the appreciation of the culture of Abu Dhabi,” said Yousif al Obaidli, Director of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center. Abu Dhabi's most iconic place of worship has been tagged one of the world's best examples of modern Islamic architecture. The building boasts 82 domes and over 1,000 columns as well as 24-carat gold gilded chandeliers. The world's largest handmade carpet adorns the floor while the main hall is decorated by one of the world's largest chandeliers- 10 meters in diameter, 15 meters in height and weighing twelve tons. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan founded the mosque which was opened in 2007, it welcomed its first visitors on Eid al Adha of that year. The grounds of the mosque are equally inviting, pools of water and a unique lighting system that uses the rays of the sun to give light at night are among the most talked about features of this attraction. Daily tours are given to offer insight into its founder, the Islamic culture of the building and the construction phase. – Al Arabiya
