UAE's Sheikh Zayed Mosque: A masterpiece of Islamic architecture
British photographer frequently visits the intricately designed prayer halls to photograph 'the jewel in UAE's crown
PHOTO: MERCURY PRESS
The grandeur of the Sheikh Zahid Grand Mosque is so spectacular that over 400,000 visitors make the pilgrimage to Abu Dhabi to offer the annual Eid prayers.
British photographer Julian John was captivated by the incredible interior of the biggest mosque in the Middle East and has frequently visited the intricately designed prayer halls to photograph what he believes to be 'the jewel in the United Arab Emirates' crown.
The photographs are soon to be displayed in an exhibition.
"It has been described as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and is truly a modern wonder of the world," John said adding that "it is beautiful and serene and the attention to detail is breathtaking with craftsmen from all around the world instrumental in making it so spectacular."
The courtyard features the largest marble mosaic in the world at 180,000 square feet which is also part of the photographs John has captured.
The four 350-foot tall minarets, which can be seen across the Abu Dhabi skyline, are lit up in dramatic style against the cloudy skies in one of the photographer's incredible shots.
The photographer took up the hobby four years ago when he moved to the Middle East and uses a Nikon D800 camera with Nikon 24-70mm and the Tamron 70-200mm lenses.
He has since set up a photography class at the international school where he works.
About the mosque, Julian said "there are so many aspects to the Grand Mosque from stunning interiors to domes and minarets and fountains to the beautiful pillars with inlaid flowers."
"There are so many photographic opportunities that you are almost spoiled for choice," he also added about the mosque.
He concluded that "as long as I live in Abu Dhabi, I will always visit the Grand Mosque and continue to photograph it."
The towering structure took almost 10 years to build with more than 30,000 workers starting work on the site in 1996.
It was not completed until seven years after the millennium in 2007.
This article originally appeared on Mail Online
British photographer Julian John was captivated by the incredible interior of the biggest mosque in the Middle East and has frequently visited the intricately designed prayer halls to photograph what he believes to be 'the jewel in the United Arab Emirates' crown.
PHOTO: MERCURY PRESS
The photographs are soon to be displayed in an exhibition.
"It has been described as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and is truly a modern wonder of the world," John said adding that "it is beautiful and serene and the attention to detail is breathtaking with craftsmen from all around the world instrumental in making it so spectacular."
PHOTO: MERCURY PRESS
The courtyard features the largest marble mosaic in the world at 180,000 square feet which is also part of the photographs John has captured.
The four 350-foot tall minarets, which can be seen across the Abu Dhabi skyline, are lit up in dramatic style against the cloudy skies in one of the photographer's incredible shots.
The photographer took up the hobby four years ago when he moved to the Middle East and uses a Nikon D800 camera with Nikon 24-70mm and the Tamron 70-200mm lenses.
PHOTO: MERCURY PRESS
He has since set up a photography class at the international school where he works.
About the mosque, Julian said "there are so many aspects to the Grand Mosque from stunning interiors to domes and minarets and fountains to the beautiful pillars with inlaid flowers."
PHOTO: MERCURY PRESS
"There are so many photographic opportunities that you are almost spoiled for choice," he also added about the mosque.
He concluded that "as long as I live in Abu Dhabi, I will always visit the Grand Mosque and continue to photograph it."
The towering structure took almost 10 years to build with more than 30,000 workers starting work on the site in 1996.
PHOTO: MERCURY PRESS
It was not completed until seven years after the millennium in 2007.
This article originally appeared on Mail Online