Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque among world’s most iconic

Abu Dhabi: The Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has been selected as one of the world’s most impressive contemporary mosques in an authoritative book on iconic mosques and Islamic design.

Featured in author Leyla Uluhanli’s ‘Mosques: Splendors of Islam’, the mosque named after Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has been recognised as one of the most pivotal mosques of the 21st century.

The book will be officially launched in Dubai in November to commemorate the Year of Zayed and 100 years since the birth of the UAE’s founding father.

Originally from Azerbaijan and deeply influenced by her Islamic roots, Uluhanli’s book is the result of a deep passion and fascination with Islamic culture that led to many years of research on Islamic architecture.

“The book is for me, first and foremost, an honourable opportunity to share my fascination with intricate Islamic architecture with the world,” Uluhanli said.

As part of her charitable efforts to promote Islamic culture and heritage, the author will donate a substantial amount of books to the public collections at Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, Shaikh Mohammed Centre for Culture and Understanding and other cultural centres and libraries across the UAE.

“Having been raised in Azerbaijan, I have never fully let go of my origins. I am deeply honoured to know that the book — the result of eight years of complicated visual and scholastic studies — has proved to be a valuable tribute to Islamic culture. The opportunity to now contribute a few copies to libraries and cultural centres in the very heart of Islamic world further validates my efforts.”

The book is supported by prominent scholars in Islamic culture, history and architecture and features stunning original and archive photography of 53 global mosques, accompanied by narratives on every aspect of the mosques’ history and architecture, including design, calligraphic inscriptions, and both religious and secular significance.

‘Mosques: Splendors of Islam’, published by Rizzoli New York in November 2017, is already in its second run. It is available around the world across all leading bookstores and major online resources.

The French edition will be on shelves this month and will be published by Citadelles & Mazenod.