Exploring the UAE's most beautiful mosques: Where wonder meets worship

Without a doubt, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is top of this list. Inaugurated in 2007 in the capital city of Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque truly lives up to its name. Named after the founding father of the UAE, the Late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, this stunning mosque is known for its breathtaking architecture, with its white marble domes and minarets. It can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers and has 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, and 24-carat gold embossed chandeliers. Nearly 100,000 tonnes of Greek and Macedonian marble have gone into creating this majestic symbol of Islamic architecture that took more than 12 years to complete.

Al Badiyah Mosque, Fujairah

Al Badiyah Mosque, located in Fujairah, is famous more for its historical significance rather than its snazzy architecture. The true age of Al Badiyah mosque is uncertain, though it is estimated to have been built around the 15th century. It is today considered to be the oldest mosque in the UAE. The mosque's architecture is fairly simple; it has mud and brick walls and two simple watch towers. Even though it can only accommodate around 30 worshippers, Al Badiyah Mosque is worth the visit to get a glimpse into mosques of the past. It is simple, rudimentary, and true to history.

Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai

Made of white stone, imitating the medieval Fatimid tradition, the Jumeirah Mosque is a resplendent structure built in 1979 as a gift to HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum from the Late HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The mosque's architecture combines traditional Islamic and modern design elements.

The best part of this mosque is that it operates under the ‘Open Doors Open Minds’ initiative put in place by the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). This means that apart from being a centre of worship, the Jumeirah mosque also opens its doors to people from all faiths -- and offers tours, presentations, and even tastings of traditional Islamic snacks (especially during the holy month of Ramadan) to those who are curious about Islamic traditions and rituals.

Grand Mosque, Sharjah