Panels that make up Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque’s mosaics restored to their glory
Conservationists at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque have completed the delicate restoration of 9.5 million pieces of mosaic across its courtyard.
The 14-month process involved removing every piece to assess its condition and re-laying it on the 17,000-square-metre space, called a sahn.
A unique artwork that features distinctive elements from across the globe, the courtyard is an architectural masterpiece.
It is the first time restoration has been carried out since the mosque opened in 2007, said Abu Baker Al Baiti, head of its maintenance and services. Now it is back to its full glory. “We were always conducting simpler forms of maintenance on a monthly basis,” he said.
At least 2,385 white and 1,440 coloured mosaic panels were restored, and 140 mosaic panels were replaced.
“Keeping a massive structure in good condition and in position is a very hard task that requires special maintenance to preserve its unique characteristics,” Mr Al Baiti said.
He said courtyard maintenance was performed annually, with more heavy maintenance work carried out every 10 years.
The workforce was managed by an Emirati team from the mosque and included 140 artisans, skilled workers, field engineers, draftsmen and technicians specialising in the use of marble-cutting machines.
“We worked during Covid-19 and maintained strict safety measures and social distancing,” Mr Al Baiti said.
Ameena Al Hammadi, head of the cultural guidance section, said it was the dream of the Founding President, Sheikh Zayed, to build a mosque that would unite the world and be a beacon of tolerance.
“During the mosque’s design phase, the engineers and designers paid particular attention to incorporate this into the design and structure,” she said. “These botanic patterns also reflect Sheikh Zayed’s love of nature.”
The designs were created by acclaimed British artist Kevin Dean. He chose flowers that would be recognisable to people all over the world but could also grow in the Arabian Peninsula, such as irises, tulips, jasmine, roses and passiflora.
Dean was able to select shades from almost 40 types of marble, from Italy, Greece, India and China.
The stone was cut by water jet into pieces of a jigsaw that were reassembled on site.
Ms Al Hammadi said: “The dream of the UAE’s late Founding Father has become a place of worship, an architectural masterpiece, a global tourist attraction and cultural centre that extends bridges of cross-cultural communication worldwide.”