Helicopter Dubai top attraction

Helicopter Dubai top attraction

Helicopter Dubai downtown flight

If there is one experience that distills Dubai's scale, ambition, and glittering coastal beauty into a single, unforgettable memory, it's a helicopter tour. In a city built to be admired from every angle, taking to the sky has become a defining rite of passage for visitors-no wonder “Helicopter Dubai top attraction” appears on so many travel wish lists. From the air, the city's headline landmarks stop being isolated icons and snap together into a coherent, dazzling panorama.


The moment the rotors spin up and the skids lift, Dubai reorganizes itself beneath you. The coastline draws a silver line across the Gulf; beyond it, the geometric fronds of Palm Jumeirah resolve into a man-made wonder that seems almost impossible until you see its full design at once. Atlantis crowns the Palm like a jeweled clasp. Swing south and the sail of Burj Al Arab gleams against the sea. Bank inland, and Burj Khalifa rises out of Downtown like an exclamation point-8 lanes of Sheikh Zayed Road threading toward it, the Dubai Fountain spreading like lace at its base. The effect is perspective in the truest sense: you don't just see more, you understand more.


Most flights follow one of a few classic circuits.

Helicopter Dubai downtown flight

  1. Helicopter Dubai full skyline tour
  2. Helicopter Dubai city exploration air
  3. Helicopter Dubai luxury tour
  4. Helicopter Dubai city overview
Shorter routes, often around 12 minutes, give you the greatest hits: Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, parts of the Marina, and a skim along the coast. Step up to 17–22 minutes and the Palm comes fully into focus, with time to loop the fronds and capture the entire archipelago in a single frame. Longer flights, 30 minutes or so, can push out toward The World Islands and trace the older parts of the city-the Creek, Port Rashid, and the Dubai Frame-before returning along the towers of JBR and the wheel of Bluewaters. Helicopter Dubai downtown flight Each increment buys you breathing room: not just more landmarks, but more time to relax into the rhythm of the flight.


Beyond the landmarks, a helicopter feels personal in a way observation decks never quite do. You're close to the glass, headset on, listening to the pilot's easy commentary about neighborhoods you've never heard of and mega-projects still taking shape. You'll spot details-backyard pools on the Palm's fronds, dhows nosing down the Creek, sand giving way to the first burned-umber hints of the desert-that would be invisible from the ground. The city shrinks, yet your sense of it grows.


Choosing the right tour is mostly about your priorities:



  • If you're short on time or budget, the shortest flight still delivers that signature skyline-and-sail combination.

  • If your heart is set on the Palm, pick a route that explicitly loops it; otherwise you might only pass by.

  • If you love cityscapes and want the “everything shot,” the longer circuit that includes The World and Old Dubai is worth the splurge.


Practicalities matter, and a little planning goes a long way. Book ahead, especially in the cooler months from October to April when visibility is crisp and demand spikes. Morning flights often enjoy calmer air and clearer light; late afternoon gives you drama, with the sun honeying the towers and long shadows etching the coastline. Summer can be hazier, though the heat shimmer has its own cinematic mood.


Expect a safety briefing on arrival and a check of your ID (passport or Emirates ID). Seating is assigned based on weight and balance-a normal aviation practice-so you can't always pick your side, though most cabins offer excellent visibility from every seat. Dress light and avoid loose accessories; dark clothing helps reduce window reflections in photos. Pilots are used to photographers, but remember you're there for the experience as much as the shot-alternate between framing the city and simply letting it pour over you.


Prices vary by operator and duration, but as a ballpark, short flights typically start in the mid-hundreds of dirhams per person, with longer circuits scaling up accordingly. Helicopters usually seat five or six passengers plus the pilot. Helicopter Dubai must do activity . Children are welcome above a certain age, and there are standard restrictions around weight limits and health considerations; always check the latest operator guidelines when you book. These tours are regulated and use modern aircraft; the briefings, headsets, and professional crews keep the experience comfortable even for first-time flyers.


Is it worth it? That depends on what travel means to you. Dubai is a city of superlatives, designed to impress from curb to cloud. Plenty of attractions deliver intensity-standing atop Burj Khalifa, dining in the sky, racing across the desert at sunset. But the helicopter tour is singular because it compresses the entire Dubai story-the audacity, the engineering, the relationship between sea, sand, and skyline-into one continuous, elevating narrative. It's equal parts orientation and awe.


There are, of course, alternatives if you're weighing options. Seaplane tours thread along the coast at a different pace; gyrocopter rides put a single passenger out in the breeze for an open-cockpit thrill; observation decks give you languid time to linger. Yet when travelers swap notes, the consensus is striking: a helicopter over Dubai feels like the city's native medium, the perspective it was built to be seen from. That's why it has become, organically and enduringly, a Helicopter Dubai top attraction.


If you go, go with curiosity: look for patterns, not just icons. Watch the city's grids bend toward the water, the way new neighborhoods leapfrog outward, the seams where old trade routes meet new expressways. Take your postcard photos, absolutely.

Helicopter Dubai luxury air sightseeing

  • Helicopter Dubai safe tour
  • Helicopter Dubai island view flight
  • Helicopter Dubai premium tourism flight
  • Helicopter Dubai short scenic flight
  • Helicopter Dubai private air ride
  • Helicopter Dubai mall of emirates view
  • Helicopter Dubai burj al arab tour
But then sit back, listen to the rotor's steady heartbeat, and let Dubai rearrange itself into a story you'll keep telling-one that begins the moment the ground falls away and the horizon opens like a promise.

 

The World Islands (Dubai)
View of the World in 2010
Geography
Location United Arab Emirates
Coordinates 25°13′00″N 55°10′00″E / 25.21667°N 55.16667°E / 25.21667; 55.16667
Archipelago The World
Length 9 km (5.6 mi)
Width 6 km (3.7 mi)
Administration
United Arab Emirates
View of The World from the Burj Khalifa
The development's logo

The World Islands (Arabic: جزر العالم, romanized: Juzur al-Ālam) are an archipelago of small artificial islands constructed in the shape of a world map, located in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[1] The World Islands are composed mainly of sand dredged from Dubai's shallow coastal waters and are one of several artificial island developments in the emirate.[1] The World's developer is Nakheel Properties. Construction was done by two Dutch joint-venture specialist companies, Van Oord and Boskalis, who also created the Palm Jumeirah.

Construction of the 300 islands began in 2003, before being halted due to the 2008 financial crisis.[2] Though 60% of the islands were sold to private contractors in 2008, development on most of the project has not started.[3] As of July 2012, Lebanon Island was completed and was the only island that had so far been developed commercially, being used for private corporate events and public parties. As of late 2013, only two of the islands had been developed. In January 2014, Kleindienst Group announced the launch of "the Heart of Europe" project.[4] By February 2014, JK Properties, one of Kleindienst Group's brands, announced that the project was "well underway".[5] The first of these series of islands will be Europe, Sweden, and Germany, with development led by Kleindienst Group.

The World Project

[edit]

Islands in the project range from 1.4 to 4.2 hectares (3.5 to 10.4 acres) in area.[1] Distances between islands average 100 metres (110 yd); they are constructed from 321 million cubic metres of sand and 386 million tons of rock.[1] Designed by Creative Kingdom Dubai, the development is an area that covers 6 by 9 kilometres (3.2 by 4.9 nmi) and is surrounded by an oval-shaped breakwater island. Roughly 232 km (144 mi) of shoreline has been created. The World's overall development costs were estimated at $13 billion CAD in 2005.[citation needed]

The archipelago consists of seven sets of islands, representing the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Oceania.[6] Each artificial island is named after its representative country, landmark, or region, such as France,[7] California,[8] Rio de Janeiro, Mount Everest,[9] Australia,[10] New Mexico,[11] Upernavik,[12] Buenos Aires,[13] New York,[14] Mexico,[15] Saint Petersburg,[16] São Paulo, and India.[17]

History

[edit]

The project was unveiled in May 2003 by Al Maktoum,[18] and dredging began four months later.[18] By January 2008, 60% of the islands were sold, with 20 being bought in the first four months of 2007.[1][18] On 10 January 2008, the final stone on the breakwater was laid, completing development of the archipelago.[18] As of July 2012, a second island, the Lebanon Island (1.5 hectares, or 3.7 acres and 482.21 metres of perimeter) was developed and was 'the only island that has so far been developed commercially, is used for private corporate events and public parties'.[19]

Difficulties

[edit]

The Times reported in September 2009 that work on the World had been suspended due to the effects of the 2008 financial crisis.[20][21] Nakheel denied 2010 reports that the islands were sinking into the sea as wholly inaccurate.[22] Despite the denial, The Daily Telegraph reported in January 2011 that an independent company, Penguin Marine, provided verification on the erosion of the islands and the silting of the passageways between the islands.[23] Due to financial and technical problems, Penguin Marine, contracted to provide transportation to the archipelago, attempted to get out of the annual fees of $1.6 million paid to Nakheel properties.[23]

Until early 2012, only one of the islands had been occupied by a building (a show home),[2] and commercial or residential properties were not being constructed on any of the other islands. Property prices in the Emirates had fallen 58% from their peak in the fourth quarter of 2008.[24] The world economic recovery from the Great Recession resulted in a rebound for the Dubai real estate market: it was reported that "residential prices [in Dubai] rose by 17.9% from August 2012 to 2013, while rents soared by 14.9% in the same period".[25]

Purchase and development plans

[edit]
The World 2010 (aerial view)

The World was supposed to be serviced by four major transportation hubs linked by waterways. Land parcels were supposedly zoned for various uses: estate, mid-density, high density, resorts, and commercial.[26]

The plan was for utilities to be routed underwater, with pumping stations at each of the hubs pumping fresh water to the islands. Power was to be supplied by the Dubai grid and distributed through underwater cables. However, as of May 2025, no cables had been laid, and developers had to provide their own power using diesel generators. Wastewater and refuse systems are an individual concern for each island.[26]

A show house island for prospective buyers

Nakheel Group is itself further developing a resort named Coral Island, covering over 20 islands that make up the North American part of the World. The low-rise development will include a marina and hotel village.[27] The second largest confirmed development is the purchase of 14 islands that make up Australia and New Zealand by Investment Dar of Kuwait. The islands are being developed as a resort named OQYANA.[28]

The Irish business consortium Larionovo had plans to develop the Ireland island into an Irish-themed resort.[29] The plans included a large internal marina, apartments and villas, a gym, hotel, and an Irish-themed pub. In July 2007, it was announced that the island would feature a recreation of Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway. However, on 25 November 2008, a provisional liquidator was appointed for Larionovo. As of October 2022, this has not happened.[30]

In April 2008, Salya Corporation announced that it had acquired the islands of Finland and Brunei and planned to develop them into fashion-themed resorts. Salya spent about Dh800 million (US$218 million) to purchase the islands and plans to spend a further Dh2.4 billion (US$654 million) on development. Brunei Island will be turned into a Fashion TV resort and Finland Island into a fashion community called FTV palace.[31]

Safi Qurashi[32] at the head of Premier, and his business partner Mustafa Nagri, paid an estimated US$64 million for the 4.5-hectare (11-acre) piece of land; he was later convicted for non-payment of cheques and sentenced to seven years in jail.[33] However, on appeal, he was later found not guilty and released from prison in July 2012, when he was declared innocent of two of the three charges.[34][35]

Josef Kleindienst and his firm JK Properties are developing the Heart of Europe, a collection of seven islands (Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, Main Europe, Switzerland, and Monaco) in the European section of the World, into an island luxury resort.[36] It is meant to create a fully immersive European experience, with outdoor snow[37] and stores accepting only the Euro as a currency.[38] It was set to open in 2020 but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[39]

In June 2020, a street called Raining Street was being built as part of the Heart of Europe project, with plans to create artificial rainfall once the outdoor temperature exceeds 27 degrees Celsius, with the objective to make a close copy of southern European climate.[40]

In December 2022, it was announced that the first hotel within the project, Cote d'Azur Monaco, had opened.[41]

Timeline of construction

[edit]
See also: List of Developments on The World Islands
Undeveloped islands on 1 May 2007
Undeveloped islands on 11 April 2015
  • May 2003: The World development was announced by Nakheel, total completion scheduled for 2008. It was initially to have 200 islands and an area of 5,600,000 square metres (60,000,000 sq ft).[42]
  • February 2004: It was announced that the World would comprise 260 islands, and its area would be 6 km by 9 km, with an area of 23–83,613 square metres (250–900,000 sq ft) for each island, with 50–100 m (160–330 ft) of water between each island.[42]
  • August 2004: It was announced that land reclamation would cost AED 7.3 billion ($2 billion).[42]
  • April 2005: Sand dredging 55 percent complete, 88 islands completed.[42]
  • 30 March 2006: Richard Branson appeared at a media conference on the Great Britain island. However, this was to announce direct London-to-Dubai flights by Virgin Atlantic and was not related to his investing in the project.[43]
  • December 2006: The World reclamation 90 percent complete.[42]
  • October 2007: Nakheel announced the sale of Ireland and Shanghai in October 2007.[42]
  • January 2008: The World breakwater is completed.[42]
  • 19 February 2008: Cinnovation Group acquired a 37,000-square-metre (400,000 sq ft) island as part of a project valued at $200 million USD. Guest and residential villas and a hospitality complex are planned.[44]
Taken from the International Space Station in 2010
Taken from the Hodoyoshi-1 satellite in 2016
Taken from the International Space Station in 2022
  • 25 February 2008: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre announced that it will establish a 6,000-square-metre (65,000 sq ft) pearling and marine entertainment center in association with Paspaley Pearling Corporation. It will be located on an island in the Antarctic region of the World.[45]
  • September 2008: Dubai's Limitless announced plans to develop a $161 million USD wellness resort on an island in "Siberia". Pearl Dubai paid US$27.2 million for a 150,000-square-metre (1,600,000 sq ft) island nearby.[46]
  • 28 December 2008: Turkey Island was bought by MNG Holding in June 2008 for US$19 million.[46]
  • 28 December 2008: China's Zhongzhou International announced that it will be developing a hotel resort on Shanghai island.[46]
  • 28 December 2008: Nakheel said 70 percent of the World had been sold.[42]
  • October 2009: An Emirates Business report on 13 October 2009 stated that two islands were sold in July and August 2009.[42]
  • December 2009: Dubai-based Kleindienst Group said they would start construction of the Heart of Europe in early 2010. Islands include Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Ukraine, Sweden, and Switzerland.[42]
  • January 2010: On 28 January 2010, Emirates Business reported that Major Trade had started development of their projects on an island in the Greenland area, a villa and hotel resort.[42]
  • 23 February 2010: Kleindienst Group started work on the Germany island of the World.[47]
  • 17 July 2012: The Royal Island Beach Club opened on Lebanon Island.
  • 6 May 2013: Nakheel announced that an out-of-court settlement had been reached between itself and Kleindienst Group, allowing construction on "The Heart of Europe" to resume.[48]
  • 10 June 2013: Construction began on "Taiwan".[49]
  • 2 July 2013: Nakheel announced that settlements "with São Paulo Development Ltd for São Paulo Island and a GCC investor for the purchase of Nord Island", totaling "AED 185 million", along with the earlier settlement with Kleindienst Group (valued at AED 622 million), have "put The World back on the map".[50]
The World islands map, annotated with existing developments
  • 10 December 2013: Nakheel announced plans to connect the islands with a road.[51]
  • January 2014: Kleindienst Group's JK Properties announced that "work has commenced on The Heart of Europe".[52]
  • January 2014: Website "The Heart of Europe" publishes monthly construction updates for the project.[53]
  • February 2014: JK Properties announced that the "Heart of Europe" islands construction is "well underway".[54]
  • 7 December 2016: The Heart of Europe project makes major progress when the Dubai-based company JK Bauen, part of the Kleindienst Group, appointed Chinese-based companies Wuchang Ship Building Industry Group and Sino Great Wall International Engineering in a joint venture to develop facilities on the six islands.[55]
  • January 2022: Anantara World Islands opens.[56]

See also

[edit]
  • List of developments of The World (archipelago)
  • Palm Islands
  • The Universe
  • Dubai Waterfront

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Dubai's Palm and World Islands – progress update". AMEInfo. 4 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  2. ^ a b Spencer, Richard (28 January 2011). "'The World' is sinking". Stuff.
  3. ^ Schaffer, Sierra (23 May 2016). "The "World" Is Sinking Back Into the Sea, Dubai's World Islands That Is – TechMalak". TechMalak. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Phase two of The Heart of Europe project launched". Khaleej Times. 17 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Work continues to progress at a pace on the heart of Europe". JK Properties. February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  6. ^ "The World Islands". Atlas Obscura. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  7. ^ 186483481 France on OpenStreetMap 25°13′24″N 55°09′34″E / 25.22334°N 55.15937°E / 25.22334; 55.15937 (France)
  8. ^ 2713321 (x j a h) California on OpenStreetMap 25°12′11″N 55°08′38″E / 25.20300°N 55.14376°E / 25.20300; 55.14376 (California)
  9. ^ 87185503 Mount Everest on OpenStreetMap 25°14′13″N 55°10′31″E / 25.23683°N 55.17535°E / 25.23683; 55.17535 (Mount Everest)
  10. ^ 87185938 Australia on OpenStreetMap 25°13′53″N 55°11′40″E / 25.23149°N 55.19435°E / 25.23149; 55.19435 (Australia)
  11. ^ 8402261 (x j a h) New Mexico on OpenStreetMap 25°12′05″N 55°09′06″E / 25.201379°N 55.151797°E / 25.201379; 55.151797 (New Mexico)
  12. ^ 87184344 Upernavik on OpenStreetMap 25°13′17″N 55°08′22″E / 25.22142°N 55.13939°E / 25.22142; 55.13939 (Upernavik)
  13. ^ 202033673 Buenos Aires on OpenStreetMap 25°12′04″N 55°10′10″E / 25.20106°N 55.1695°E / 25.20106; 55.1695 (Buenos Aires)
  14. ^ 87184265 New York on OpenStreetMap 25°12′51″N 55°09′04″E / 25.21421°N 55.15101°E / 25.21421; 55.15101 (New York)
  15. ^ 8402263 (x j a h) Mexico on OpenStreetMap 25°12′07″N 55°09′16″E / 25.201824°N 55.154394°E / 25.201824; 55.154394 (Mexico)
  16. ^ 200489433 St. Petersburg on OpenStreetMap 25°14′05″N 55°09′53″E / 25.23475°N 55.16479°E / 25.23475; 55.16479 (St. Petersburg)
  17. ^ 170773643 India on OpenStreetMap 25°13′52″N 55°10′47″E / 25.23110°N 55.1796°E / 25.23110; 55.1796 (India)
  18. ^ a b c d "The World islands in Dubai complete". ArabianBusiness.com. 10 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  19. ^ Simpson, Colin (9 May 2013). "The World is back on Dubai's map". The National News.
  20. ^ McLean, James (12 September 2009). "Credit crunch signals end of The World for Dubai's multi-billion dollar property deal". The Times.
  21. ^ Hari, Johann (7 April 2009). "The dark side of Dubai". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
  22. ^ Shane McGinley (4 February 2010). "Island owners hit back at 'sinking' claims". Arabian Business. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010.
  23. ^ a b Spencer, Richard (20 January 2011). "The World is sinking: Dubai islands 'falling into the sea'". The Daily Telegraph.
  24. ^ "The End of The World". Kompas.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  25. ^ "JK Properties Monthly Newsletter (Nov. 2013) "A bright Outlook for Dubai's property Market"". JK Properties. November 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  26. ^ a b Nakheel. "The World Video Gallery". Archived from the original on 22 June 2008.
  27. ^ "Nakheel unveils super-luxury resort at Coral Island of The World". National Media Council UAE. 5 March 2007. Archived from the original on 26 April 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
  28. ^ "Nakheel sells Australasia segment of The World". AsiaTravelTips.com. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  29. ^ "The Island of Ireland". Retrieved 23 July 2007.
  30. ^ "Larionovo".
  31. ^ "World's Finland and Brunei to be hub of fashion". Emirates Business 24/7. 24 April 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  32. ^ Leftly, Mark. Anger over pay is just the free market in action, The Independent 10 June 2012
  33. ^ Syal, Rajeev (23 July 2010). "Owner of Dubai's 'little Britain' jailed for non-payment of cheques". The Guardian. London.
  34. ^ McGinley, Shane (23 July 2012). "Exclusive: Two Safi Qurashi judgements quashed". Arabian Business. Dubai.
  35. ^ Hyslop, Leah (24 July 2012). "Briton Safi Qurashi has convictions overturned in Dubai". The Telegraph. London.
  36. ^ "The Heart of Europe". Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  37. ^ "Heart of Europe in Dubai: Streets with snow". Emirates 24/7. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  38. ^ "Video: Plans to make it snow in Dubai are not a gimmick, says CEO". 7Days. Archived from the original on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  39. ^ "Dubai's The World islands: inside the first 'country' set to open at The Heart of Europe". The National. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Dubai to construct 'Raining Street' where it pours down all year round". The National. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  41. ^ "Heart of Europe's first hotel opens for bookings 13 years after being unveiled". Hotelier Middle East. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Dubai FAQs. "The World Dubai". Dubaifaqs.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  43. ^ smh (30 March 2006). "Sir Richard Branson 'Stakes his Claim' on The World in Dubai". Asiatraveltips.com. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  44. ^ "Cinnovation acquires Nova Island on The World (UAE/SG)". Europe-re.com. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  45. ^ "Dubai unveils 'Pearls of Arabia' at The World | DMCC". AMEinfo.com. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  46. ^ a b c "'The World' three-quarters sold out – The National". Thenational.ae. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  47. ^ "First developer breaks ground on The World | Real Estate". AMEinfo.com. 20 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2012.
  48. ^ "The World LLC settles with Kleindienst Properties". Nakheel PJSC. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  49. ^ System Administrator (10 June 2013). "Dubai's The World: Construction on Taiwan begins post-Ramadan". Emirates 24-7. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  50. ^ "Settlements worth AED807 million put The World back on the map". Nakheel PJSC. 2 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  51. ^ "Road could be built to man-made World development". Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  52. ^ "JK Properties Monthly Newsletter (January 2014), "Kleindienst Group launches iconic The Heart of Europe project"". JK Properties. January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  53. ^ "The Heart of Europe – Construction Updates". The Heart of Europe. January 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  54. ^ "JK Properties Newsletter (February 2014), "The Construction of the Heart of Europe Islands is Now Well Underway"". JK Properties. February 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  55. ^ Fahy, Michael (7 December 2016). "Heart of Europe development at The World Islands off Dubai coast takes major step forward". The National.
  56. ^ Evans, Tom (5 June 2023). "What's happening in the Dubai World Islands?". Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The World.
  • Nakheel.com: The World (Web archive)
  • "The Heart of Europe" website
  • List of islands in The World by Nakheel, Dubai (DubaiFAQs)
 
 

 

"Sheikh Zayed Mosque" redirects here. For other uses, see Sheikh Zayed Mosque (disambiguation).
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in Middle East
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location within the Middle East
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
جَامِع ٱلشَّيْخ زَايِد ٱلْكَبِيْر‎
View of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from the courtyard, 2018
Religion
Affiliation Islam
Location
Location Abu Dhabi
Country United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is located in United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Location within the UAE

Coordinates 24°24′43.2″N 54°28′26.4″E / 24.412000°N 54.474000°E / 24.412000; 54.474000ArchitectureArchitectYusef AbdelkiStyleIslamicGroundbreaking1996Completed2007Construction costDhs2 billion (US$545 million)SpecificationsCapacity41,000+Length420 m (1,380 ft)Width290 m (950 ft)Dome82 domes of 7 different sizesDome height (outer)85 m (279 ft)Dome dia. (outer)32.2 m (106 ft)Minaret4Minaret height104 m (341 ft)Website


مركز جامع الشيخ زايد الكبير‎

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Arabic: جَامِع ٱلشَّيْخ زَايِد ٱلْكَبِيْر Jāmiʿ Aš-Šaykh Zāyid Al-Kabīr) is a mosque located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.[1] It is the country's largest mosque, and is the key place of worship for daily Islamic prayers. There is a smaller replica of this mosque in Surakarta, a city in Indonesia.[2]

The Grand Mosque was constructed between 1994 and 2007 and was inaugurated in December 2007.[3] The building complex measures approximately 290 by 420 m (950 by 1,380 ft), covering an area of more than 12 hectares (30 acres), excluding exterior landscaping and vehicle parking. The main axis of the building is rotated about 12° south of true west, aligning it in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The project was launched by the late president of the U.A.E., Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art.[4] In 2004, Sheikh Zayed died and was buried in the courtyard of the mosque.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) offices are located in the west minarets. SZGMC manages the day-to-day operations and serves as a center of learning and discovery through its educational cultural activities and visitor programs. The library, located in the northeast minaret, serves the community with classic books and publications addressing a range of Islamic subjects: sciences, civilization, calligraphy, the arts, and coins, including some rare publications. The collection comprises material in a broad range of languages, including Arabic, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Korean. For two years running, it was voted the world's second favourite landmark by TripAdvisor.[5]

The Grand Mosque has been a significant destination for visiting foreign leaders during official state visits to the UAE. Notable visitors include Elizabeth II,[6] the then US Vice President Joe Biden[7] and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[8]

Design and construction

[edit]

The mosque was built under the guidance and supervision of Sheikh Zayed, who was buried here after his death in 2004. It features 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the largest chandeliers. The mosque was designed under the management of the Syrian architect Youssef Abdelke, and three other architectural designers from Syria who completed the design and worked on developing it, Basem Barghouti, Moataz Al-Halabi, and Imad Malas.[9]

The mosque's architect Yusef Abdelki took inspiration from a number of sources: the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria, designed by Mario Rossi in the 1920s;[10] the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan;[11] and other references of Persian, Mughal, and Indo-Islamic architecture. The dome layout and floorplan of the mosque was inspired by the Badshahi Mosque. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish, and its minarets classically Arab.

In a joint-venture between Italian contractors Impregilo and Rizzani de Eccher, more than 3,000 workers and 38 sub-contracting companies were conscripted in its construction. The mosque was completed under a second contract by a Joint Venture between ACC and Six Construct (part of Belgian company BESIX Group) between 2004 and 2007.[12][13][14] Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their long-lasting qualities, including marble stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. Artisans and materials came from many countries including Syria, especially from Damascus and Aleppo, and some other countries such as India, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, North Macedonia and the U.A.E.[citation needed] The intricate flower mosaics decorating the courtyard was designed by the British artist Kevin Dean, who embraced Sheikh Zayed’s passionate vision to create a mosque that unites the world, as he chose flowers from the Middle East, such as Tulips, Lilys, and Irises. As inlays of colored marble form exuberant floral patterns that curl and twist gracefully from the edges towards the center adorn the courtyard. While the rest of the Sahan was inlaid with thousands of small pieces of white marble.

Dimensions and statistics

[edit]

The mosque is large enough to accommodate over 40,100 worshippers, while the main prayer hall can hold over 7,000. There are two smaller prayer halls, with a capacity of 1,500 each, one of which is the women's prayer hall.[1]

There are four minarets on the four corners of the courtyard which rise about 107 m (351 ft) in height. The courtyard, with its floral design, measures about 17,000 m2 (180,000 sq ft), and is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.[1] The exterior and interior are adorned with white marble, giving the mosque a serene and majestic appearance. The marble is inlaid with precious stones like lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, abalone shell, and mother of pearl.

Marble used in the construction included:

  • Sivec from Prilep, North Macedonia was used on the external cladding (115,119 m2 (1,239,130 sq ft) of cladding has been used on the mosque, including the minarets)
  • Lasa from Laas, South Tyrol, Italy was used in the internal elevations
  • Makrana from Makrana, India was used in the annexes and offices
  • Acquabianca and Bianco P from Italy
  • East White and Ming Green from China[1]

To compare, the King Faisal Mosque of Sharjah, formerly the largest mosque in Sharjah[15] and country, measures 10,000–12,000 m2 (110,000–130,000 sq ft).[16][17]

Architectural features

[edit]

The carpet in the hall is considered by many [by whom?] to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi.[18] It measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet and it took approximately two years to complete.[1]

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Chandelier

The Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich, Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world,[clarification needed] and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height.[1]

The pools along the arcades reflect the mosque's columns, which become illuminated at night. The unique lighting system was designed by lighting architects Speirs and Major Associates to reflect the phases of the moon. Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and get brighter and darker according to the phase of the moon.[19]

The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are clad with marble and inlaid with mother of pearl, one of the few places where one can see this craftsmanship.[citation needed]

The 99 names (qualities or attributes) of God (Allah) are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufic calligraphy, designed by the prominent UAE calligrapher — Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi. The Qibla wall also features subtle fibre-optic lighting, which is integrated as part of the organic design.

In total, three calligraphy styles — Naskhi, Thuluth and Kufic — are used throughout the mosque and were drafted by Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi of the UAE, Farouk Haddad of Syria and Mohammed Allam of Jordan.[1]

  • View from Wahat Al Karama
    View from Wahat Al Karama
  • Exterior
    Exterior
  • Water mirror and columns
    Water mirror and columns
  • Inner courtyard with minaret
    Inner courtyard with minaret
  • Interior of the main prayer hall
    Interior of the main prayer hall
  • The mosque in 2022
    The mosque in 2022
  • The mosque at night
    The mosque at night
  • Outside of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (left)
    Outside of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (left)
  • Mosque walkway
    Mosque walkway
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque At Night
    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque At Night

See also

[edit]
  • List of mosques in the United Arab Emirates
  • List of cultural property of national significance in the United Arab Emirates
    • Qasr Al Watan
    • The Founder's Memorial
  • Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
  • Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Fujairah
  • Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Mosque in Stockholm, Sweden
  • Emir Abdelkader Mosque

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi". www.szgmc.ae.
  2. ^ "President Sheikh Mohamed attends inauguration of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Indonesia: Mosque is almost identical to the original in Abu Dhabi". The National. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
  3. ^ "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". Abu Dhabi Government. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi". Wondermondo.
  5. ^ The National staff (27 May 2017). "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ranked the world's second favourite landmark | The National". Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  6. ^ "The Queen's visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque", gov.uk, retrieved 2025-04-16
  7. ^ "AP", newsroom.ap.org, retrieved 2024-10-04
  8. ^ "PM Modi Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  9. ^ "9 Most Famous Buildings in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah That Put the UAE on the World Map". AD Middle East. 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  10. ^ "7 Facts You Must Know About Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". MSN News. 12 March 2021.
  11. ^ Vanessa Chiasson (15 November 2019). "8 Of The Most Beautiful Places In Abu Dhabi". Travel Awaits.
  12. ^ "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". Accsal. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Marbled architectural splendor". Besix. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Infrastructure boost". Gulf Construction Online. 2004-08-01.
  15. ^ "A look at the magnificent mosques of the UAE". Khaleej Times. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  16. ^ Al Qassemi, Sultan Sooud (2017-11-16). "Demystifying Sharjah's iconic King Faisal Mosque". Gulf News. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  17. ^ Kakande, Yasin (2011-08-11). "Sharjah's mosque where the faithful can listen and learn". The National. Sharjah. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  18. ^ "Iran weaves world's largest carpet". Web India 123. 2007-07-28.
  19. ^ Marinho, Carlos André (2023-10-21). "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". MuseumsOnTheRoad.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
  • The Official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center website
  • The Official Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority website
  • Shah, Pino (2020-03-14). Rood, Carrie (compiler) (ed.). Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Heaven's Waiting Room. Vol. 1 (of World Heritage Series). Pharr, Texas, the U.S.A.: ArtByPino.com. ISBN 978-0-9979-9844-3. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
 

 

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