Dubai, Part 6 - Jumeirah Mosque

After leaving the beach, Jo and I headed to the Jumeirah Mosque. This is the largest mosque in Dubai, and the only one which non-Muslims are allowed to enter. They are very strict about who is allowed into the building, and how you can enter - children under 5 are not allowed, everyone has to remove their shoes outside, and women must have their heads covered and be dressed very modestly. They will provide black abiyas for women who are not dressed modestly enough, as well as headscarves. Joanna and I brought headscarves with us, but they required her to wear an abiya because her shirt was not long enough. Mine was fine, so I could go in as I was dressed, but I still tried on the abiya for fun (and for the picture)!

The ornate exterior of the mosque was quite impressive, with its characteristic dome and two minarets from which the call to prayer is broadcast five times each day. Before we entered the mosque, our tour guide demonstrated how the Muslim worshippers perform the ritual cleansing that is required before prayer.

The mosque inside was beautiful, with rich red and gold colors contrasted with a soothing pale blue, sparkling chandeliers, and decorative Arabic writing surrounding the ceiling in the main portion of the room. Inside our guide taught us about the 5 pillars of Islam, and answered questions about the mosque and Islam in general. He also demonstrated how the Muslims pray, translating the Arabic for us so we could understand. It was a very interesting and informative tour.