Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

The cruise ship stopped in Abu Dhabi on a Friday, which was perfect timing for us.  This is the Sabbath Day in the UAE.  We were able to go to Church in the morning.  We had an enjoyable time in the Abu Dhabi branch, which reminded us of our branch in Shanghai - lots of expats.  This was also the first Sunday of the year and the first week of two hour Church.  Fortunately I had been able to connect with a branch member prior to our trip and she kept me updated with time changes.

Ethan and Erica in particular really liked Dubai and Abu Dhabi.  They kept commenting on how clean everything was, the restaurants and shops they knew etc.  They have both decided that they also really like Singapore.  Those are their picks of places to live :)

In the evening we visited the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque.  This place was amazing!  If you ever have a stop in the UAE, it is worth trying to get to the Grand Mosque.  It is also worth trying to time your visit to join the tour, as this enables you to visit the prayer hall.  We were lucky to be in the prayer hall during the call to prayer.  Our evening visit was also great timing to be able to see the mosque during daylight, dusk and then in the dark.

That is Ethan in the wheelchair.  The Grand Mosque had wheelchairs for loan, which made the visit much easier for Ethan.

One of the entrances to the prayer hall.

Inside the Prayer Hall were amazing chandeliers.  They were made in Germany using swarovski crystals and are some of the biggest chandeliers in the world.

From memory this Prayer Hall can fit about 7000 people.

The other entrance to the Prayer Hall.  Now at night.

Women are required to cover up in loose-fitting clothing from wrist to neck to ankle.  I was loaned an abaya.

We found the call to prayer in the UAE to be quite beautiful.  It is recorded and played throughout the city, so you hear the same call to prayer everywhere.  You hear it in shopping centres etc.