Some religious buildings impress with their antiquity. Others overwhelm with scale. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a rare case where architecture creates a physical sensation of beauty. When you first see those snow-white domes and minarets against the blue sky, then enter the courtyard with its marble patterns—you understand why it's called one of the most beautiful mosques in the world.

Sheikh Zayed's Dream

The mosque is named after the founder and first president of the UAE—Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He dreamed of creating a place that would unite Islamic heritage with ...