I Mosque Blog This!

Hello, fair people! I’ve returned to make yet another blog post. I couldn’t help but notice that the last one I’ve done was almost a month ago. This is unacceptable, especially since Sarah points out that she told everybody we’d be blogging lots.

In any case, Sarah and I met a wonderful couch surfing couple a couple of weeks ago and we all went to visit The Grand Mosque. We took some lovely pictures (of which we’ll share with you lovely people, of course) and generally had a great time exploring the mosque’s opulent majesty. They also have a blog so you should check it out if you're so inclined! They've been traveling for two years! H-core!

Fig 1.0.: Sarah and our couch surfing companions arrive at the mosque!

But, back to the mosque. First and foremost, in order to enter the mosque, one has to adhere to a very specific dress code. I, of course, was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, so naturally I could enter freely. However, Sarah was wearing a t-shirt and a skirt so she had to cover up with an abaya. According to Sarah, they’re actually quite comfortable and not as hot as you’d think it’d be! I did have the option to rock a dishdasha, but I opted against it. I felt like it’d be frowned upon for someone like me to wear one.

Fig 1.1.: This handy sign was there to illustrate proper attire! I think I'm the guy at the very end.

Anyway, I had never set foot in a mosque before so it was quite fascinating to me to take in all the design aesthetics of the space. From the marble mosaic courtyard (which I believe is considered to be the largest hand tiled mosaic in the world) to the elegantly hand woven carpet on the inside, The Grand Mosque was truly something that inspired awe in one’s breath.

It was also a strange mixture of modern decadence with a traditional and ancient typology. For starters, there was what looked like giant air turbines incorporated into the interior columns. I understand that in a mosque with an interior capacity of over 4000 people, body heat can become quite an issue making these air diffusers more of a modern aged necessity than a stylistic choice. Still, you can imagine my amazement at seeing such an advanced technology in a space that oozes with esoteric mysticism.

Fig. 1.2.: That's some high tech stuff!

Fig. 1.4.: Sarah hijabs it up in an abaya! Looks good on her, eh?

Fig 1.5.: The clever clogs who situated the mosque knew what they were doing. What an epic view!

Fig 1.6.: Here we are, looking pilgrim.

Fig. 1.7.: The inside of the mosque. It's super shiny!

Fig. 1.8.: Sarah has a brilliant idea inside the mosque - ding!

Fig 1.9.: A very blue chandelier!

Also, I couldn’t help but notice that the intricate and expensive custom carpet installed in the mosque had some areas around the columns that were obviously intended to be cut to fit, but failed. I have photographic evidence of this travesty. For a mosque that had billions of dirhams poured into its construction, you’d think that they’d spend a little more time and effort in making sure that detail was spot on. All I can do is shake my head and “tsk tsk” their glaringly apparent mistake.

Fig. 2.0.: Booooooo ...

We also learned a little bit about Islam on a guided tour of the mosque. The tour guide explained to us about the different prayer times during the day (shown on a digital clock in the mosque’s “foyer”) and how the Islamic prayer system works. It was really fascinating to see technology playing such an integral role in religion. However, as I walked by another tour guide explaining to her group about prayer times, I learned how people figure out prayer times without the assistance of a prayer clock – the way the Bedouins in the desert do it. Interesting stuff!

Alas, there’re lots more about the mosque that I could talk about but it’s late and I’m tired. So just enjoy the pictures!

Next post: Abu Dhabi’s Carpet Souk!

- Sheikh Bernard Al Awesome Bin Rockstar

MORE PICTURES!

 

Fig. 2.1.: We thought that this would make a great movie poster for an indie film that could possibly be called "Musl-I'm" about a young girl's struggle with her identity. Sundance Film Festival anyone?