The world-renowned Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques in the world, is now getting a replica in Solo, Indonesia.
It will be built with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The replica of the UAE’s largest mosque was gifted by the UAE to Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, during the visit of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince in Jakarta in July 2019.
To be built on a 3-hectare plot, the mosque will feature four minarets, with the main dome surrounded by smaller domes.
Husin Bagis, Indonesia’s ambassador to the UAE, told Arab News that despite being another version of Abu Dhabi’s mosque, the Indonesian mosque will feature traditional Indonesian ornaments and will maximize local materials.
After its completion, the mosque is said to accommodate about 10,000 worshippers.
Bagis also said it could become a major religious tourism destination in the Muslim-majority Southeast Asian country.
“Now worshippers can go to Solo to marvel at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s splendor,” he said.
The ground-breaking ceremony this month was attended by UAE’s Energy and Infrastructure Minister H.E. Suhail Al-Mazroui, and General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments Chairman H.E. Mohammed Al-Kaab.
It was also attended by Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir and Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is Widodo’s eldest son on the Indonesian side.
During the ceremony, Quomas said that the $20 million worth of construction is being fully financed by the UAE and the mosque project is expected to be ready to welcome worshippers in September 2022.
