Few buildings in Abu Dhabi are as immediately recognizable as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
With its gleaming white marble, 82 domes, four towering minarets, and vast courtyards, the mosque is an extraordinary example of modern Islamic architecture.
Built in honor of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, it brings together architectural influences and craftsmanship from across the Islamic world.
The details are remarkable. Intricate floral patterns made from semi-precious stones decorate the marble columns and floors. Reflecting pools mirror the long arcades, while the main prayer hall houses an enormous hand-knotted carpet and chandeliers adorned with Swarovski crystals.
Completed in 2007, the mosque was designed as both a place of worship and a symbol of cultural openness. Its architecture draws on centuries of Islamic tradition, yet the result feels distinctly contemporary.
These 17 photographs of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque capture its remarkable architecture, from the symmetry of its white domes and colonnades to the elaborate details of its interiors.
Images licensed by Ingram Image