Many people may already be familiar with the carpet housed in Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It's the largest hand-knotted one in the world, boasting an intricate Islamic medallion design created by third-generation carpet-maker and artist Ali Khaliqi. It took about 1,200 artisans to put together the part-woollen, part-cotton carpet, which measures 5,700 square metres.
But the Abu Dhabi landmark also boasts many other unique attractions, including seven striking chandeliers, which were the focus of a recent overhaul by a special task force of skilled Emirati engineers put together by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC).
The maintenance project took a team of 45 people – including a project manager, site supervisor, engineers, technicians, and health and safety experts – 12 hours a day for 45 days, except Fridays, to complete.
The hanging lights vary in size and colour, and each has its own story to tell.
The largest chandelier, which is located in the main prayer hall, spans 10 metres in diameter, is 15.5 metres tall and weighs nearly 12 tonnes. It incorporates 15,500 LED lights and is designed to resemble an upturned palm tree, with the cylindrical section representing the trunk, the bowl-shaped interlocking area depicting the fronds, and nearly 40 million units of red, yellow and green-hued crystal balls symbolising the dates.
It pays homage to the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, after whom the mosque is named.
The piece was manufactured at German crystal chandelier maker Faustig – the company that was also behind the chandeliers in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Oman, Al Shohada Mosque in Yemen's Sanaa, and several projects in Saudi Arabia – and uses stainless steel covered with 24-carat gold plates, with Swarovski crystals adorning its panels.
Dr Thomas Faustig, owner and chief executive, told The National in 2017 that it was "made for eternity. All we have to do from time to time is exchange the LEDs, or electronic components, but the chandeliers should last for the next 500 years."
At the time they made it, the principal chandelier was the world's largest.
“They are fantastic, extremely stunning and unique," adds Dr Faustig. "We have never again done such a type of chandelier. The crystals were specifically made for this chandelier – it was special, special, special. And it was a new world record. I’m extremely happy with the outcome, and it is extremely beautiful.”
As for the other light fixtures, two smaller chandeliers in the main hall weigh eight tonnes each, measure 12.5 metres tall and seven metres wide, incorporating a whopping 9,500 light bulbs.
The chandeliers receive our special attention given their significance in enhancing the overall design of the mosque
There are two more light fixtures that are 4.5 metres in diameter and six metres tall, weighing two tonnes and boasting 1,200 lamps. Elsewhere, the two smallest chandeliers are 3.5 metres in diameter and five metres tall, weighing in at 1.4 tonnes and with 1,000 bulbs.
"The maintenance of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's chandeliers is carried out as part of a strategic plan adopted by SZGMC to ensure future generations can continue to appreciate the mosque's rich architecture," said Salem Alsuwaidi, director of support services at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, of the recent project.
“The chandeliers receive our special attention given their significance in enhancing the overall design of the mosque.
“Such efforts are crucial in maintaining the iconic status of this landmark that has in a short period of time become a key religious and cultural destination.”
As part of the maintenance work, an integrated system was installed that increases the operational lifespan of the lighting units, reduces energy consumption and lowers thermal emissions, according to a statement.
The bulbs were also upgraded with custom-designed LED lighting from the Czech Republic.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which took 11 years to construct, is one of Abu Dhabi’s most popular attractions and in 2019, claimed third place in a top 10 list of landmarks in the world, according to TripAdvisor. That year, more than 6.6 million people visited the striking mosque.
In 2020, it closed for nearly seven months because of the coronavirus pandemic, reopening to the public in October.
BABYLON
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Company%20profile
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The%20specs
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MORE ON IRAN'S PROXY WARS
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
BIOSAFETY LABS SECURITY LEVELS
Biosafety Level 1
The lowest safety level. These labs work with viruses that are minimal risk to humans.
Hand washing is required on entry and exit and potentially infectious material decontaminated with bleach before thrown away.
Must have a lock. Access limited. Lab does not need to be isolated from other buildings.
Used as teaching spaces.
Study microorganisms such as Staphylococcus which causes food poisoning.
Biosafety Level 2
These labs deal with pathogens that can be harmful to people and the environment such as Hepatitis, HIV and salmonella.
Working in Level 2 requires special training in handling pathogenic agents.
Extra safety and security precautions are taken in addition to those at Level 1
Biosafety Level 3
These labs contain material that can be lethal if inhaled. This includes SARS coronavirus, MERS, and yellow fever.
Significant extra precautions are taken with staff given specific immunisations when dealing with certain diseases.
Infectious material is examined in a biological safety cabinet.
Personnel must wear protective gowns that must be discarded or decontaminated after use.
Strict safety and handling procedures are in place. There must be double entrances to the building and they must contain self-closing doors to reduce risk of pathogen aerosols escaping.
Windows must be sealed. Air from must be filtered before it can be recirculated.
Biosafety Level 4
The highest level for biosafety precautions. Scientist work with highly dangerous diseases that have no vaccine or cure.
All material must be decontaminated.
Personnel must wear a positive pressure suit for protection. On leaving the lab this must pass through decontamination shower before they have a personal shower.
Entry is severely restricted to trained and authorised personnel. All entries are recorded.
Entrance must be via airlocks.
Inside%20Out%202
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Results
4pm: Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
4.35pm: Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m; Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.10pm: Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Canvassed, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
7.30pm: Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Final Song, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
