SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE - ABU DHABI: Sheikh Zayed mosque was just a dream as recently as the 1980s, but is now noted as one of the largest mosques in the world, able to accommodate 55,000 worshippers. Situated in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, it houses one of the largest hand-knotted carpets and 82 of the largest pure white marble cladding domes in the centre of the main prayer hall, with crescent-shaped gold finials. Victor Besa / The National
SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE - ABU DHABI: Sheikh Zayed mosque was just a dream as recently as the 1980s, but is now noted as one of the largest mosques in the world, able to accommodate 55,000 worshippers. Situated in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, it houses one of the largest hand-knotted carpets and 82 of the largest pure white marble cladding domes in the centre of the main prayer hall, with crescent-shaped gold finials. Victor Besa / The National
AL HARAM - MAKKAH: Masjid Al Haram, also known as the holy mosque or the Great Mosque of Makkah, surrounds the holiest shrine in Islam, the Kaaba. From the wall surrounding the Kaaba, built by one of the most influential and powerful caliphs, Umar bin Al Khattab, surrounding the Kaaba, to rebuilding the mosque again in the 14th century and recent expansions in the 20th century, it took centuries to fully develop the mosque to what it is today. The mosque accommodates millions of worshippers and pilgrims every year. AFP
AL HARAM - MAKKAH: Masjid Al Haram, also known as the holy mosque or the Great Mosque of Makkah, surrounds the holiest shrine in Islam, the Kaaba. From the wall surrounding the Kaaba, built by one of the most influential and powerful caliphs, Umar bin Al Khattab, surrounding the Kaaba, to rebuilding the mosque again in the 14th century and recent expansions in the 20th century, it took centuries to fully develop the mosque to what it is today. The mosque accommodates millions of worshippers and pilgrims every year. AFP
AL AQSA - JERUSALEM: Al Aqsa mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, and it is also the third holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Madinah. The name Aqsa means “the farthest” referring to Prophet Mohammed’s night journey after Makkah. Muslim worshippers prayed towards the Aqsa mosque briefly before the Quranic revelation to face the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam for prayers. It dates back to 705 CE which was completed by Ummayad Caliph Abd Al Malik and his son Al Walid. AFP
AL AQSA - JERUSALEM: Al Aqsa mosque is located in the Old City of Jerusalem, and it is also the third holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Madinah. The name Aqsa means “the farthest” referring to Prophet Mohammed’s night journey after Makkah. Muslim worshippers prayed towards the Aqsa mosque briefly before the Quranic revelation to face the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam for prayers. It dates back to 705 CE which was completed by Ummayad Caliph Abd Al Malik and his son Al Walid. AFP
HASSAN II - CASABLANCA: Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, construction of the historic mosque commenced in the 1980s and took more than seven years and 10,000 craftsmen to be complete. The mosque is not only one of the largest in the world but also contains the best of technology, having been kitted out with a renewable solar energy system in 2016. King Hassan II commissioned the mosque to be one of the most influential and inspiring structures in Morocco, able to accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers. AFP
HASSAN II - CASABLANCA: Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, construction of the historic mosque commenced in the 1980s and took more than seven years and 10,000 craftsmen to be complete. The mosque is not only one of the largest in the world but also contains the best of technology, having been kitted out with a renewable solar energy system in 2016. King Hassan II commissioned the mosque to be one of the most influential and inspiring structures in Morocco, able to accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers. AFP
BLUE MOSQUE - ISTANBUL: Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which is widely known as the Blue Mosque because of its prominent hand painted blue tiles, is located in Istanbul. It was built at the request of Sultan Ahmet I and is one of the most influential structures from the Ottoman dynasty. The interior of the mosque is lined with more than 20,000 handmade İznik style ceramic tiles. EPA
BLUE MOSQUE - ISTANBUL: Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which is widely known as the Blue Mosque because of its prominent hand painted blue tiles, is located in Istanbul. It was built at the request of Sultan Ahmet I and is one of the most influential structures from the Ottoman dynasty. The interior of the mosque is lined with more than 20,000 handmade İznik style ceramic tiles. EPA
AMR IBN AL AS - CAIRO: Located at the centre of Egypt’s old capital, Al Fustat, the mosque is named after Amr Ibn Al As who was the commander of the Muslim conquest of Egypt. The original structure was the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa and its completion dates back to 641-642 AD, although it has been rebuilt since, in 1179 and in 1875. EPA
AMR IBN AL AS - CAIRO: Located at the centre of Egypt’s old capital, Al Fustat, the mosque is named after Amr Ibn Al As who was the commander of the Muslim conquest of Egypt. The original structure was the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa and its completion dates back to 641-642 AD, although it has been rebuilt since, in 1179 and in 1875. EPA
UBUDIAH - KUALA KANGSAR - Located in Kuala Kangsar, Ubudiah mosque is considered one of the most stunning holy structures in Malaysia. Designed by the British architect Arthur Benison Huback at the request of Sultan Idris Mushidul Azam Shah, the mosque comprises four minarets and a golden dome, which was completed in the 1910s. Getty Images
UBUDIAH - KUALA KANGSAR - Located in Kuala Kangsar, Ubudiah mosque is considered one of the most stunning holy structures in Malaysia. Designed by the British architect Arthur Benison Huback at the request of Sultan Idris Mushidul Azam Shah, the mosque comprises four minarets and a golden dome, which was completed in the 1910s. Getty Images
MOSQUE OF CORDOBA - ANDALUSIA: One of the oldest structures still standing from the 8th century, when the time Muslims ruled Al Andalus, the mosque has held a place of importance in the Islamic community for three centuries. The original structure was built by the Umayyad rulerʿAbd Ar Raḥman I in 784-786 with further expansions and additions in the following years by his successors. It was converted into a Christian cathedral in the 13th century. Getty Images
MOSQUE OF CORDOBA - ANDALUSIA: One of the oldest structures still standing from the 8th century, when the time Muslims ruled Al Andalus, the mosque has held a place of importance in the Islamic community for three centuries. The original structure was built by the Umayyad rulerʿAbd Ar Raḥman I in 784-786 with further expansions and additions in the following years by his successors. It was converted into a Christian cathedral in the 13th century. Getty Images
BADSHAHI - LAHORE: For more than three centuries the spectacular mosque was the largest in the world. It can accommodate up to 100,000 worshippers on its grounds and was completed in the 1600s. Created by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, it is located in Lahore, capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab. AFP
BADSHAHI - LAHORE: For more than three centuries the spectacular mosque was the largest in the world. It can accommodate up to 100,000 worshippers on its grounds and was completed in the 1600s. Created by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, it is located in Lahore, capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab. AFP
ARBAA RUKUN MOSQUE - MOGADISHU: One of the oldest mosques in the world, Arba'a Rukun was built circa 667 in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu. To commemorate the late founder, Khusra ibn Mubarak Al Shir, the mosque’s mihrab – a semicircular wall that indicates the Qibla, contains an inscription dated from the same year. Alamy
ARBAA RUKUN MOSQUE - MOGADISHU: One of the oldest mosques in the world, Arba'a Rukun was built circa 667 in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu. To commemorate the late founder, Khusra ibn Mubarak Al Shir, the mosque’s mihrab – a semicircular wall that indicates the Qibla, contains an inscription dated from the same year. Alamy

World

Take a look at 10 of the world's historical mosques ahead of Eid celebrations

The world has come a long way from online takbirs and two-metre social distancing in 2020 during Eid prayers

Thoraya Abdullahi
Thoraya Abdullahi
Abu Dhabi

May 13, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Muslims mark Eid Al Fitr every year at the end of Ramadan. It is considered the “festival of breaking the fast” and coincides with the start of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan.

In 2020, Eid prayers were fully celebrated at home while some countries chose to mark the event by holding virtual Takbirs and parking lot prayers, to preserve the feel of Eid – dressing up and going to prayers with the family.

After the introduction of vaccines around the world, countries started to ease restrictions and lockdown measures. Here are 10 historical mosques ahead of Eid celebrations around the world:

Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed mosque was just a dream as recently as the 1980s, but is now noted as one of the largest mosques in the world, able to accommodate 55,000 worshippers. Situated in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, it houses one of the largest hand-knotted carpets and 82 pure white marble cladding domes in the centre of the main prayer hall, with crescent-shaped gold finials.

Al Haram – Makkah

Masjid Al Haram, also known as the holy mosque or the Great Mosque of Makkah, surrounds the holiest shrine in Islam, the Kaaba. From the wall surrounding the Kaaba, built by one of the most influential and powerful caliphs, Umar bin Al Khattab, to rebuilding the mosque again in the 14th century and recent expansions in the 20th century, it took centuries to fully develop the mosque to what it is today. The mosque accommodates millions of worshippers and pilgrims every year.

Worshippers seek Laylat Al Qadr as they offer late-night prayers at the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Laylat Al Qadr or the Night of Destiny commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed. SPA
Worshippers seek Laylat Al Qadr as they offer late-night prayers at the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Laylat Al Qadr or the Night of Destiny commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed. SPA
Worshippers seek Laylat Al Qadr as they offer late-night prayers at the Kaaba, inside the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Worshippers seek Laylat Al Qadr as they offer late-night prayers at the Kaaba, inside the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. SPA
Worshippers seek Laylat Al Qadr as they offer late-night prayers at the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Laylat Al Qadr or the Night of Destiny is the holiest night for Muslims in the last 10 days of the fasting month. SPA
Worshippers seek Laylat Al Qadr as they offer late-night prayers at the Grand Mosque, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Laylat Al Qadr or the Night of Destiny is the holiest night for Muslims in the last 10 days of the fasting month. SPA
Muslim women offer late-night prayers on the eve of Ramadan 27 at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. SPA
Muslim women offer late-night prayers on the eve of Ramadan 27 at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. SPA
Worshippers pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, seeking Laylat Al Qadr or Night of Destiny, which commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed. SPA
Worshippers pray at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, seeking Laylat Al Qadr or Night of Destiny, which commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed. SPA

Al Aqsa – Jerusalem

Al Aqsa mosque is in the Old City of Jerusalem, and is the third holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Madinah. The name Aqsa means "the farthest" referring to Prophet Mohammed's night journey after Makkah. Muslim worshippers prayed towards the Aqsa mosque briefly before the Quranic revelation to face the Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam for prayers. It dates back to 705 CE which was completed by Ummayad Caliph Abd Al Malik and his son Al Walid.

Hassan II – Casablanca

Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, construction of the historic mosque commenced in the 1980s and took more than seven years and 10,000 craftsmen to complete. The mosque is not only one of the largest in the world but also contains the best of technology, having been kitted out with a renewable solar energy system in 2016. King Hassan II commissioned the mosque to be one of the most influential and inspiring structures in Morocco, able to accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers.

Blue Mosque – Istanbul

Sultan Ahmet Mosque, which is widely known as the Blue Mosque because of its prominent hand painted blue tiles, is in Istanbul. It was built at the request of Sultan Ahmet I and is one of the most influential structures from the Ottoman dynasty. The interior of the mosque is lined with more than 20,000 handmade İznik style ceramic tiles.

Amr Ibn Al As – Cairo

Located at the centre of Egypt’s old capital, Al Fustat, the mosque is named after Amr Ibn Al As who was the commander of the Muslim conquest of Egypt. The original structure was the first mosque built in Egypt and Africa and its completion dates back to 641-642 AD, although it has been rebuilt since, in 1179 and in 1875.

Ubudiah – Kuala Kangsar

Located in Kuala Kangsar, Ubudiah mosque is considered one of the most stunning holy structures in Malaysia. Designed by the British architect Arthur Benison Huback at the request of Sultan Idris Mushidul Azam Shah, the mosque comprises four minarets and a golden dome, which was completed in the 1910s.

Mosque of Cordoba – Cordoba

One of the oldest structures still standing from the 8th century, when Muslims ruled Al Andalus, the mosque has held a place of importance in the Islamic community for three centuries. The original structure was built by the Umayyad rulerʿAbd Ar Raḥman I in 784-786 with further expansions and additions in the following years by his successors. It was converted into a Christian cathedral in the 13th century.

Badshahi – Lahore

For more than three centuries the spectacular mosque was the largest in the world. It can accommodate up to 100,000 worshippers on its grounds and was completed in the 1600s. Created by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, it is in Lahore, capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab.

Arba’a Rukun – Mogadishu

One of the oldest mosques in the world, Arba'a Rukun was built circa 667 in the capital of Somalia, Mogadishu. To commemorate the late founder, Khusra ibn Mubarak Al Shir, the mosque’s mihrab – a semicircular wall that indicates the Qibla, contains an inscription dated from the same year.

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Results

ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):

First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

500 People from Gaza enter France

115 Special programme for artists

25   Evacuation of injured and sick

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Cloud%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20George%20Karam%20and%20Kamil%20Rogalinski%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Food%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Middle%20East%20Venture%20Partners%2C%20Olayan%20Financing%2C%20Rua%20Growth%20Fund%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Disclaimer

Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
On Women's Day
War and the virus
Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800

Thor: Ragnarok

Dir: Taika Waititi

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson

Four stars

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Africa