Dubai helicopter tour airport transfer

District in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

 

District in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Marina مرسى دبي
District
Marsa Dubai
Dubai Marina skyline
Interactive map of Dubai Marina
Coordinates: 25°4′52.86″N 55°8′38.67″E / 25.0813500°N 55.1440750°E / 25.0813500; 55.1440750
Country	United Arab Emirates
Emirate	Dubai
City	Dubai
Established	2003; 23 years ago (2003)
Area
• Total	4.9 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Population  (2024)[1]
• Total	70,550
• Density	14,000/km2 (37,000/sq mi)
Community number	392
Website	www.bayut.com/area-guides/dubai-marina/

Dubai Marina (Arabic: مرسى دبي), also known as Marsa Dubai, is a district in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is built around an artificially constructed canal along a 3-kilometre (2 mi) stretch of the Persian Gulf shoreline. In 2024 it had a population of 70,550.^[2][3]

The district can accommodate over 120,000 people,^[4] and is located on Interchange 5 between Jebel Ali Port and the area which hosts Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and the American University in Dubai. The Dubai Marina was inspired by the Concord Pacific Place development along False Creek in Vancouver, Canada.^[5] There have been many instances of marine wildlife, especially whales and sharks, entering the marina because of its proximity to the open sea.^[6]

Development

[edit]

To create the marina, the developers brought the waters of the Persian Gulf into the site of the Dubai marina, creating a new waterfront. There is a large central waterway excavated from the desert and running the length of the 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) site.^[4] More than 12% of the total land area on the site has been given over to this central public space.^[4] Although much of this area is occupied by the marina water surface, it also includes almost 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) of landscaped public walkways.^[4]

The marina is entirely human-made and has been developed by the real estate development firm Emaar Properties of the United Arab Emirates and designed by HOK Canada.^[4] There is a publicly accessible foreshore-way around the marina and some sections of public ocean way along the beach with views to Palm Jumeirah. Its largest development is the Jumeirah Beach Residence. In October 2013, Dubai Marina opened its first mosque, Masjid Al Rahim, which is situated at the southern end of the Marina; its second mosque, Mohammed Bin Ahmed Almulla Mosque, opened in December 2016.^{[citation needed][7]}

Phase I

[edit]

The first phase of Dubai Marina covers 10 hectares (25 acres), which includes six freehold apartment buildings called the Dubai Marina towers. Phase I of Dubai Marina cost more than AED 1.2 billion.^[4] Three of the towers are named after precious stones: Al Mass, Fairooz, and Murjan; the other three are named after Arabic scents: Mesk, Anbar, and Al Yass. The scheme was designed by HOK and the contractors were Al-Futtaim Carillion and Nasah Multiplex.^[4]

Phase II

[edit]

Phase II of Dubai Marina consists of high rise buildings which are mainly clustered into a block, known as Tallest Block in the world,^[8] with the majority of the skyscrapers ranging between 250 metres (820 ft) to 300 metres (984 ft) in height. This includes Cayan Tower,^[9] Ocean Heights,^[10] Marina Pinnacle,^[11] Sulafa Tower,^[12] and Ciel Dubai Marina which rises to 366 metres (1,201 ft).

Jumeirah Beach Residence

[edit]

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is a 1.7-kilometre (1.1 mi) strip at the ground and plaza level of the complex, developed by Dubai Properties. Completed in 2007, since opening officially in August 2008^[13] it has become a tourist attraction.^[14]

Al Sahab

[edit]

Al Sahab is a residential high-rise development that consists of two towers; the complex is on the waterfront and directly overlooks the largest bay of water at Dubai Marina.^[15] The buildings are in the northern end of the marina across from the Al Majara towers near the Marina Quays.^[16]

Marina Quays

[edit]

Marina Quays is a complex designed by Arif & Bintoak, also responsible for the Concorde Tower. As of 2016^[update], luxury penthouses in the buildings have sold for more than 10 million Dirham.^{[relevant?][17]} In 2018, 5 million tonnes (11 billion pounds) of rock was added to create a breakwater for Marina Quays.^[18]

Dubai Marina Mall

[edit]

Dubai Marina Mall is a shopping mall located in the centre of Dubai Marina. It features 140 retail outlets, spread over 3.6 hectares (9.0 acres) of gross leasable space. Opened in December 2008, the mall is linked to the 5-star JW Marriott Hotel Marina.^{[19][citation needed]}

Transportation

[edit]

Sobha Realty (Dubai Metro)

[edit]

Main article: Sobha Realty (Dubai Metro)

Sobha Realty (شوبا العقارية), originally called Dubai Marina, then Damac Station, is a rapid transit station on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro in Dubai. It was opened on 30 April 2010 as part of an extension to Ibn Battuta. Sobha Realty is located near Interchange 5 of Sheikh Zayed Road, around 20 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of downtown Dubai; to the east of the northern half of the Dubai Marina and the west of the northern portion of Jumeirah Lake Towers. The elevated station lies on a viaduct paralleling the eastern side of Sheikh Zayed Road.^[20] Pedestrian access to the station is aided through walkways above Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting to developments on either side of the road. In September 2014, it was renamed to Damac Station.^[21] The station's name was changed back to Dubai Marina in November 2020,^[22] before it was renamed to Sobha Realty on August 9, 2021.^[23]

Dubai Tram

[edit]

Al Sufouh Tram operates in Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, running 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) along Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to the Burj Al Arab and the Mall of the Emirates. It interchanges with two stations of Dubai Metro's Red Line. The Sufouh Tram also connects with the Palm Monorail at the entrance of the Palm from Sufouh Road. Since completing in 2014, it has served the residences of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach.^[24]

A zipline was installed which links Dubai Marina with the Dubai Marina Mall.^[25] The take-off platform is located at the top of a Amwaj Tower and is 170 metres (560 ft) above ground level. It has a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). XLine is a two-row ride where two people can ride side by side at the same time.^[26] There can only be one adult per row. XLine is located in the Dubai Marina Mall on level P. Another attraction is the Dubai Marina Walk, situated along the shoreline. The Dubai Marina Mall is a shopping and entertainment centre. In addition, Dubai Marina has a 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) long marina that is serviced by the Dubai Marina Yacht Club for yacht and dhow tours.^[27][28] Another major attraction in Dubai Marina is Skydive Dubai,^[29] which is arranged to give skydivers a bird's-eye view of Palm Jumeirah.^[30][31]

Emirates International School is close to Dubai Marina.^[32]

On 27 April 2006, a protest broke out among workers in Al Ahmadiya Contracting. During the protest, workers blocked the company's construction site at Dubai Marina and destroyed office property and documents. They also damaged eight cars and two buses and battered a site engineer. The crowd was later dispersed by the riot control wing of Dubai Police.^[33]

In August 2015, people including police officers were arrested after they were caught with prostitutes and illegal alcohol on a boat in Dubai Marina.^[34]

In 14 June 2025, a huge fire broke out in the 67-storey Marina Pinnacle, causing 4,000 people to flee.^[35]

• Bluewaters Island
• List of tallest buildings in Dubai
• List of tallest residential buildings in Dubai

• Official website
• Media related to Dubai Marina at Wikimedia Commons

Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the U.A.E.

"Sheikh Zayed Mosque" redirects here. For other uses, see Sheikh Zayed Mosque (disambiguation).

Location within the Middle East

Show map of Middle East

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
جَامِع ٱلشَّيْخ زَايِد ٱلْكَبِيْر‎
View of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from the courtyard, 2018
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Location
Location	Abu Dhabi
Country	United Arab Emirates
Location within the UAE Show map of United Arab Emirates

Coordinates 24°24′43.2″N 54°28′26.4″E / 24.412000°N 54.474000°E / 24.412000; 54.474000ArchitectureArchitectYusef AbdelkiStyleIslamicGroundbreaking1996Completed2007Construction costDhs2 billion (US$545 million)SpecificationsCapacity41,000+Length420 m (1,380 ft)Width290 m (950 ft)Dome82 domes of 7 different sizesDome height (outer)85 m (279 ft)Dome dia. (outer)32.2 m (106 ft)Minaret4Minaret height104 m (341 ft)Website

مركز جامع الشيخ زايد الكبير‎

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Arabic: جَامِع ٱلشَّيْخ زَايِد ٱلْكَبِيْر Jāmiʿ Aš-Šaykh Zāyid Al-Kabīr) is a mosque located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.^[1] It is the country's largest mosque, and is the key place of worship for daily Islamic prayers. There is a smaller replica of this mosque in Surakarta, a city in Indonesia.^[2]

The Grand Mosque was constructed between 1994 and 2007 and was inaugurated in December 2007.^[3] The building complex measures approximately 290 by 420 m (950 by 1,380 ft), covering an area of more than 12 hectares (30 acres), excluding exterior landscaping and vehicle parking. The main axis of the building is rotated about 12° south of true west, aligning it in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The project was launched by the late president of the U.A.E., Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art.^[4] In 2004, Sheikh Zayed died and was buried in the courtyard of the mosque.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) offices are located in the west minarets. SZGMC manages the day-to-day operations and serves as a center of learning and discovery through its educational cultural activities and visitor programs. The library, located in the northeast minaret, serves the community with classic books and publications addressing a range of Islamic subjects: sciences, civilization, calligraphy, the arts, and coins, including some rare publications. The collection comprises material in a broad range of languages, including Arabic, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Korean. For two years running, it was voted the world's second favourite landmark by TripAdvisor.^[5]

The Grand Mosque has been a significant destination for visiting foreign leaders during official state visits to the UAE. Notable visitors include Elizabeth II,^[6] the then US Vice President Joe Biden^[7] and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.^[8]

The mosque was built under the guidance and supervision of Sheikh Zayed, who was buried here after his death in 2004. It features 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the largest chandeliers. The mosque was designed under the management of the Syrian architect Youssef Abdelke, and three other architectural designers from Syria who completed the design and worked on developing it, Basem Barghouti, Moataz Al-Halabi, and Imad Malas.^[9]

The mosque's architect Yusef Abdelki took inspiration from a number of sources: the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria, designed by Mario Rossi in the 1920s;^[10] the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan;^[11] and other references of Persian, Mughal, and Indo-Islamic architecture. The dome layout and floorplan of the mosque was inspired by the Badshahi Mosque. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish, and its minarets classically Arab.

In a joint-venture between Italian contractors Impregilo and Rizzani de Eccher, more than 3,000 workers and 38 sub-contracting companies were conscripted in its construction. The mosque was completed under a second contract by a Joint Venture between ACC and Six Construct (part of Belgian company BESIX Group) between 2004 and 2007.^[12][13][14] Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their long-lasting qualities, including marble stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. Artisans and materials came from many countries including Syria, especially from Damascus and Aleppo, and some other countries such as India, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, North Macedonia and the U.A.E.^{[citation needed]} The intricate flower mosaics decorating the courtyard was designed by the British artist Kevin Dean, who embraced Sheikh Zayed’s passionate vision to create a mosque that unites the world, as he chose flowers from the Middle East, such as Tulips, Lilys, and Irises. As inlays of colored marble form exuberant floral patterns that curl and twist gracefully from the edges towards the center adorn the courtyard. While the rest of the Sahan was inlaid with thousands of small pieces of white marble.

The mosque is large enough to accommodate over 40,100 worshippers, while the main prayer hall can hold over 7,000. There are two smaller prayer halls, with a capacity of 1,500 each, one of which is the women's prayer hall.^[1]

There are four minarets on the four corners of the courtyard which rise about 107 m (351 ft) in height. The courtyard, with its floral design, measures about 17,000 m² (180,000 sq ft), and is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.^[1] The exterior and interior are adorned with white marble, giving the mosque a serene and majestic appearance. The marble is inlaid with precious stones like lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, abalone shell, and mother of pearl.

Marble used in the construction included:

• Sivec from Prilep, North Macedonia was used on the external cladding (115,119 m² (1,239,130 sq ft) of cladding has been used on the mosque, including the minarets)
• Lasa from Laas, South Tyrol, Italy was used in the internal elevations
• Makrana from Makrana, India was used in the annexes and offices
• Acquabianca and Bianco P from Italy
• East White and Ming Green from China^[1]

To compare, the King Faisal Mosque of Sharjah, formerly the largest mosque in Sharjah^[15] and country, measures 10,000–12,000 m² (110,000–130,000 sq ft).^[16][17]

The carpet in the hall is considered by many ^{[by whom?]} to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi.^[18] It measures 5,627 m² (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet and it took approximately two years to complete.^[1]

The Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich, Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world,^{[clarification needed]} and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height.^[1]

The pools along the arcades reflect the mosque's columns, which become illuminated at night. The unique lighting system was designed by lighting architects Speirs and Major Associates to reflect the phases of the moon. Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and get brighter and darker according to the phase of the moon.^[19]

The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are clad with marble and inlaid with mother of pearl, one of the few places where one can see this craftsmanship.^{[citation needed]}

The 99 names (qualities or attributes) of God (Allah) are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufic calligraphy, designed by the prominent UAE calligrapher — Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi. The Qibla wall also features subtle fibre-optic lighting, which is integrated as part of the organic design.

In total, three calligraphy styles — Naskhi, Thuluth and Kufic — are used throughout the mosque and were drafted by Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi of the UAE, Farouk Haddad of Syria and Mohammed Allam of Jordan.^[1]

• 
  View from Wahat Al Karama
• 
  Exterior
• 
  Water mirror and columns
• 
  Inner courtyard with minaret
• 
  Interior of the main prayer hall
• 
  The mosque in 2022
• 
  The mosque at night
• 
  Outside of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (left)
• 
  Mosque walkway
• 
  Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque At Night

• List of mosques in the United Arab Emirates
• List of cultural property of national significance in the United Arab Emirates
  • Qasr Al Watan
  • The Founder's Memorial
• Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
• Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Fujairah
• Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Mosque in Stockholm, Sweden
• Emir Abdelkader Mosque

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

• The Official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center website
• The Official Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority website
• Shah, Pino (2020-03-14). Rood, Carrie (compiler) (ed.). Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Heaven's Waiting Room. Vol. 1 (of World Heritage Series). Pharr, Texas, the U.S.A.: ArtByPino.com. ISBN 978-0-9979-9844-3. Retrieved 2020-07-09.