Abu Dhabi: Sam Mostyn, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, has visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by Dr. Fahad Altaffag, UAE Ambassador to Australia, and Ridwaan Jadwat, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia to the UAE, along with her accompanying delegation.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Governor-General and her delegation toured the mosque's prayer halls and courtyards, guided by Dr. Yusuf Al-Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. During the visit, they were briefed on the mosque's pivotal role in promoting coexistence, tolerance, and openness, values deeply embedded in the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.
The delegation was also introduced to the centre's continuous efforts to promote authentic Islamic culture and build bridges with various world cultures, aiming to establish the mosque as a distinctive place of worship. They learned about the mosque's history, admired its unique architectural details, and explored its extensive collection of artworks and artefacts, which highlight Islamic civilisation's artistic and architectural heritage.
The mosque's architecture, known for its harmonious fusion of different cultural styles, was showcased as an embodiment of unity and creativity. At the conclusion of the visit, the Governor-General was presented with a compass inspired by the mosque's renowned chandeliers and the centre's latest publication, "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace." This book offers a visual journey emphasizing the mosque's architectural magnificence through award-winning photographs from the "Spaces of Light" photography award.
