Beautiful Mosques in the UAE: An Introduction to Mosque Architecture

• Elements of Mosque Architecture
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
• Al Badiyah Mosque
• Al Noor Mosque
• Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Center

Since the advent of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula during the seventh century, mosques have been integral to Muslim worship. Over the centuries, mosques have been traditionally built with artistic elements like leaves, flowers and geometric patterns, intentionally leaving out any depictions of people or animals in its design. These places of Muslim worship vary broadly in design based on the region and the sect of Islam they belong to. However, there are some essential design elements that are inherent to the architecture of mosques across the globe.

ARCHITECTURE OF MOSQUES: THE DIFFERENT DESIGN ELEMENTS

We take a detailed look at the different architectural elements common to mosques around the world. 

COURTYARDS

Within a mosque there is often a sizable courtyard, sometimes with a fountain. These courtyards are called sahns and typically they are large enough to allow the entire congregation to gather and pray at once.

The fountains are symbolic of the four rivers mentioned in the Qur’an. The same fountains are where Muslim worshippers perform their ablutions – washing of the hands, face and feet before praying.

MIHRAB

Mosque architectures also have a niche called the mihrab. A mihrab indicates the direction of Mecca, better known as the qibla – the direction Muslims face while praying. Mihrabs are built into the qibla wall and this wall is typically the most intricately decorated spot in the mosque.

MINARET

Each mosque has one or more minarets – towers that stand tall and distinguished from the surrounding architecture. Minarets serve to visually discern mosques from other places of worship. They remind onlookers of Islam’s presence in the region.

Minarets also serve as the place from where Muslims can be called to prayer, via the adhan that happens five times daily. In the past, a person (the Muezzin) would stand atop the minaret and call out to the believers to come and pray. Today, most mosques place speakers atop the minaret and use a public address system to do the same.

QUBBA

Another distinctive element common to the architecture of most mosques is the use of qubba. A qubba is a dome representative of the vault of Heavens. Mosques around the world have several domes, with one central qubba and smaller ones around it.

MINBAR

The minbar is a pulpit, modeled after a staircase and created from intricate carved wood or stone. From this pulpit, the imam delivers sermons.

Within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), several mosques have been around for centuries. Let’s now look at the most beautiful mosques in the UAE and the design elements that make them unique.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Completed in 2007, this breathtaking mosque is the biggest and grandest mosque in the UAE, located in the Grand Mosque District of Abu Dhabi.

• With its ability to hold 41,000 visitors, it is a massive structure that has 82 domes and four minarets.
• Here, you can find reflecting pools surrounded by marble, columns covered in crystals and an intricate floral mosaic design on the courtyard floor .
• This mosque was the brainchild of H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan. It was designed by Syrian architect Yusef Abdelki and has impressed locals and visitors alike ever since.
• Visitors are welcome to tour this mosque and are permitted to take pictures of the Swarovski chandeliers, handmade carpets and the general opulence of this beautiful mosque.

Al Badiyah Mosque

The Al Badiyah Mosque, thought to have been built in the 15th century, is located in the emirate of Fujairah about 40 miles from the capital.

• It is believed to be the one of the oldest mosques in the UAE and also one of the smallest.
• There has been some disagreement in the field of archaeology on the exact age of this mosque, with differences appearing in data on the age of the building and the age of items found inside.

Al Noor Mosque

Located in Sharjah, this mosque is the only one in the area that allows non-Muslim visitors.

• The inspiration for the Al Noor Mosque came from Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque.
• Al Noor is known to be one of the prettiest mosques in the UAE.
• With its 34 domes and minarets and the capacity to hold more than 2,000 people, this mosque is a sight to behold.

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Center

Upon entering this Dubai mosque, visitors can see colorful tiles and hand-sculpted inscriptions created by dozens of artists.

• This mosque and centre doubles as an educational and outreach facility. In addition to the mosque, the centre contains a library, a youth club, a lecture hall and several classrooms where visitors can take Arabic lessons.
• This Dubai mosque is one of the largest in the region, with an area of more than 93,000 square feet. It can accommodate around 2,000 worshippers at a time.
• The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab mosque also works to educate the community and people around the world about the Islamic culture and heritage.

Grand Jumeirah Mosque

This Dubai mosque’s motto is “Open doors. Open minds”. They claim to provide one of the most engaging cultural experiences in the UAE and those who have visited often second this claim.

• The Grand Jumeirah Mosque was built in 1979 and is a favourite among the residents.
• Its architectural elements were inspired by buildings in Syria and Egypt.
• This midsize Dubai mosque can accommodate around 1,5300 worshippers at a time.

Conclusion

Mosque architecture came a long way since the first mosques were ever built. A rich and diverse palette of elements & patterns adorn the timeline of their architecture and there are nuanced differences to discover between each of them along the way.

Architects who aspire to study these marvellous structures for a prolonged period may consider buying their own apartment in Dubai to dedicate themselves to studying the local architecture. 
Bayut offers a variety of property types though, so of course if an apartment doesn’t suit your needs, or you simply prefer a bit more space to yourself, you may wish to browse Dubai’s villas for sale.
Or should the opposite apply in your case and all you’d need is a studio apartment or a 1-bedroom flat: you’ll still find a wide selection to choose from on Bayut.

Additional Resources

Learn more about the history and architecture of mosques in the UAE and the rest of the world.

• Introduction to Mosque Architecture
• Mosque Art
• Introduction to Mosques
• Inside the Mosque and its Features
• Understanding Mosques
• Vocabulary of Mosque Architecture
• Elements of the Mosque
• Parts of a Mosque
• Simple Mosque Design Elements
• Architectural Elements of Mosques
• Palm Jumeirah Mosque
• Contemporary Mosques That Are Reshaping Islamic Architecture
• Best Mosque Tours in the UAE for Non-Muslims
• Can I Visit a Dubai Mosque as a Non-Muslim?
• Parts, Features, and Architecture of Mosques
• Introduction to Mosque Architecture
• The Islamic Tradition
• Early Islamic Art and Mosque Architecture
• Places of Worship: Islam
• The 100 Most Iconic Islamic Houses of Worship
• 21 Unique Mosques in the UAE
• The Mosque as a Political, Economic, and Social Institution
• Mosques and Islamic Identities
• The Stereotypical Mosque

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