The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, is a magnificent and highly revered religious site that is considered the key place of worship in the country. The mosque was initiated by the late President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to create a structure that would bring together the cultural diversity of the Islamic world, as well as the historical and modern values of architecture and art. The mosque was built between 1996 and 2007 and covers a vast area of more than 12 hectares, making it the largest mosque in the UAE.

The mosque is designed to accommodate over 40,000 worshipers, with its main prayer hall capable of holding up to 7,000 people. There are also two smaller prayer halls, one of which is specifically for female worshipers and can hold 1,500 people. The mosque features four minarets on each corner of the courtyard, which rise to a height of 107 meters, and a spacious courtyard with a floral design that is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.

The mosque is a true display of international collaboration, as artisans and materials from many countries including Italy, Germany, Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia, Iran, China, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Greece, were used in its design and construction. Over 3,000 workers and 38 renowned contracting companies participated in the building process, which was completed by the Italian company Impregilo. The mosque's design was inspired by Persian, Mughal and Moorish mosque architecture, including the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco.

The mosque boasts many special and unique elements, including the world's largest carpet, made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi. The carpet, which measures 5,627 square meters, was made by around 1,200-1,300 knotters and took approximately two years to complete. There are seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich, Germany, that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals, with the largest chandelier being the second largest in a mosque and the third largest in the world. The mosque also features pools along the arcades that reflect the mosque's stunning columns, and a unique lighting system that was designed to reflect the phases of the moon.

The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are covered in marble and inlaid with mother of pearl, while the 99 names of God (Allah) are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufic calligraphy, designed by the prominent UAE calligrapher Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi. The mosque also has a library in the north/east minaret that serves the community with classic books and publications on a range of Islamic subjects, including sciences, civilization, calligraphy, the arts, and coins, and some rare publications dating back over 200 years.

In conclusion, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a magnificent religious site that showcases the diversity of the Islamic world, as well as the historical and modern values of architecture and art. It serves as a testament to international collaboration and is a source of pride for the people of the UAE.