Fujairah Morning visit; Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Fort

Quest to Complete the 7 Emirates as a Returning Ex-UAE Resident, September 2022

The easternmost of the United Arab Emirates, Fujairah is the only Emirate not to have a coastline along the Persian Gulf. It is also the youngest of the Emirates, only becoming independent from Sharjah in 1952. 

https://wikitravel.org/en/Fujairah

Visiting Fujairah served as my 7th Emirate on my quest to complete the Seven Emirates of UAE.

I rode the Intercity Bus #116 coming from Sharjah Al Jubail Bus station (fare is 30 AED), dropping to main road near Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for two hour joyride. From Grand Mosque I started my DIY walk tour going to Fujairah Fort then back home. By the way, taking of passengers going back to Sharjah / Dubai is from designated bus stations only (bus stops along the main road are only for drop-off). This means you need to take a taxi to Kalba (negotiated 9 AED on Corniche bus stop).  

For Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, no entrance fee, just reservation online is required which I did as walk-in only as almost no visitors are coming. There's a free guided local tour that states the history of the Mosque. I've learned that the Fujairah Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the second largest mosque in UAE (Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the largest), the architecture is based on Ottoman (Turkish) style (that's why the domes / minaret are so familiar with the Istanbul's Blue Mosque) and worshippers capacity is around 28,000.

Fujairah Morning visit; Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Fort

Great Mosques Afternoon Trip in Maguindanao

13 Days Mindanao Pandemic Adventure Solo Backpacking Nov. 09 to 21, 2021

La Palmera Mountain Ridge Morning Trip in Sultan Kudarat

Mindanao Day 06: My 67th Province, Maguindanao (Ma-Ganda-Now!). Payong payong joyride to famous Mosques (the Grand, the White and the Pink) #philippines #pinasnaman #mindanao #pandemictravelling #pilipinas #lakbayPinas #mosque #daytrip 

How to Go: For the Pink Mosque and White Mosque, its just near the main road and ride any Gensan-Cotabato bound bus / van. For Grand Mosque, drop-off to Bubong road then ride a payong payong for PHP35 per head. Wear long pants and shirt with sleeves. 

Day 06: November 14, 2021 Sunday (Maguindanao; my 67th province)

1145H ETD Tacurong (Sultan Kudarat); van to Cotabato 200

1230H Pink Mosque (Masjid Dimaukom) 

1315H ETD Pink Mosque; jeep to Cotabato 100

1400H White Mosque (Masjid Al Nasser) 

1445H ETD White Mosque; jeep to Cotabato 10

1515H ETA Bubong; payong payong 70

1530H Cotabato Grand Mosque; refreshments 33

1545H ETD Grand Mosque; payong payong 30

1600H ETD Bubong; jeep to Super 25 / Hotel Filipino 2 nights 1,600; dinner 205

Total: PHP 2,273

Great Mosques Afternoon Trip in Maguindanao

Herat Citadel and Blue Mosque Morning Walk Tour

Budget Solo Week-end Trip in Winter Afghanistan

December 20 to 21, 2019

Kabul City Self-guided Road Trip

Day 2: December 21, 2019 Saturday
0600H wake-up / breakfast
0630H Herat morning walk tour; Herat Citadel 500 / Blue Mosque
1000H ETD Herat Town; taxi to airport 300
1045H ETA Herat Airport
1210H ETD Herat; flight FG252
1320H ETA Kabul; 3hr transit; fridget magnet & snacks 570
1605H ETD Kabul (UTC +0430H); flight EK641
1835H ETA Dubai (UTC +0400H) Terminal 3
Subtotal: 1,370 AFN

Herat Citadel and Blue Mosque Morning Walk Tour (Blue Mosque)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Revisited

3-February-2017 Friday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

First Visit to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Apr 2012)

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is the biggest mosque in United Arab Emirates. Famous for its world's largest hand knotted carpet and world largest chandelier inside the Men's Prayer room (10 meters in diameter, 15 meters in height and weighing twelve tones). An architectural work with 82 domes, over a 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers. 

How to Go to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque;
Ride any of this bus #'s 32, 44, 54, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 110, 111, 115, 120, 130, A1, 155, 160, 161, 162, 163, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404 405, 406. Admission is FREE with visiting hours from 0900H to 2200H (except Friday morning). There is also free walk-in tour schedule every 1000H, 1100H and 1700H.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Revisited

Isfahan 1st part; Inside the ​Naqsh-e Jahan Square

7 Days Solo Backpacking Winter Iran via Persian Gulf

November 08 to November 14, 2015

Shiraz last part; Afternoon Walk to Nearby Tourist Spots 

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, “Image of the World Square", is a square situated at the center of Isfahan city. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The square is surrounded by buildings from the Safavid era. Imam Mosque, or Jaame Abbasi Mosque, standing in the southern side of the Square was built by Shah Abbas I. It is regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian architecture and an excellent example of Islamic era architecture of Iran. Its construction began in 1611, and its splendor mainly due to the beauty of its seven-color mosaic titles and calligraphic inscriptions. Ali Qapu is a grand palace located on the western side. It is forty-eight meters high and there are seven floors. On the 6th floor, there is a music room which deep circular niches are found in the walls, having only aesthetic but also acoustic value. Sheikh Lutfollah Mosque standing on the eastern side, is one of the architectural masterpieces of Safavid Iranian architecture. Construction began in 1603 and done by 1619. 

How to Go to Naqsh-e Jahan Square;

Naqsh-e Jahan Square is around 500m away only from my stayed hostel, Amir Kabir. Entrance fee in the Square is free but 150,000 Rial for ($4.3) for each of the three mentioned above. Photography and video taking is allowed, use of tripod is prohibited.

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Isfahan 1st part; Inside the ​Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Imam Mosque)

Shiraz last part; Afternoon Walk to Nearby Tourist Spots

7 Days Solo Backpacking Winter Iran via Persian Gulf

November 08 to November 14, 2015

Shiraz 1st part; Half-Day Tour to Persepolis and Necropolis

​Nasir Ol-Molk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, is a traditional mosque with extensive colored glass in its facade, and displays other traditional elements such as the Panj Kāse ("five concaved") design. It is named in popular culture as the Pink Mosque, due to the usage of considerable pink color tiles for its interior design. ​Narenjestan Museum is a part of Ghavam complex and was designed and used as birooni (to receive people out of family circle). The complex built between 1879-1886 was the domicile of Governor's Court of Fars during Qajar period. The complex is significant representation of Iranian architecture during Qajar period. Shāh Chérāgh is a funerary monument and mosque housing the tomb of the brothers Ahmad and Muhammad, sons of Mūsā al-Kādhim and brothers of ‘Alī ar-Ridhā. The two took refuge in the city during the Abbasid persecution of Shia Muslims.

How to Go to Nasir Ol-Molk Mosque, Narenjestan Museum and Shah Cheragh Mosque;

This three places are just on very short distance to my stayed hostel, Golshan Traditional. ​Coming out from the hostel, going to the left around 100m away is the Narenjestan Museum. Then, Nasir Ol-Molk Mosque is on the opposite side of the road going back near the hostel. Finally, Shah Cheragh Mosque is around 300 meters away. A map is provided on the attached itinerary. Narenjestan Museum entrance fee costs 150,000 Rial ($4.3), photography and video taking is allowed, even the use of monopod and tripod. Nasir Ol-Molk Mosque entrance fee is 100,000 Rial ($3), photography and video taking is allowed, monopod and tripod is prohibited. Shah Cheragh Mosque has free entrance, photography and video taking is allowed by use of monopod and tripod is prohibited.

Shiraz last part; Afternoon Walk to Nearby Tourist Spots (Nasir Ol-Molk Mosque)

Istanbul Sultanahmet Square 2nd part; the Sultan Ahmed (Blue) Mosque

4-days Turkey Summer Solo Escapade
June 27 to July 03, 2014

Istanbul 1st part; Inside the Hagia Sophia

How to go to Blue Mosque; 
Sultanahmet (Sultan Ahmed) Mosque is inside the Sultanahmet Square of Istanbul which is 50km distance from Sabiha Gokcen Airport and 27km from Ataturk Airport. This mosque is just infront of the Hagia Sophia. Admission is FREE. Photography and video taking is permitted inside. Monopod and tripod is strictly prohibited. Dress code applies, long pants and no sleeveless shirts.

Many of Istanbul’s historical gems, mostly consisting of Byzantine and Ottoman-built monuments are in Old City. Most are located a short walk away from, if not immediately on the edges of, Sultanahmet Square. 

With its six minarets and sweeping architecture the Sultanahmet or 'Blue' Mosque impresses from the outside. Unlike Haghia Sophia, this is still a working mosque, entry is through the courtyard on the SW side which is back side of mosque. No shorts or bare shoulders (shawls are provided) and you will need to remove your footwear (bags are provided that you can place your shoes in). Entrance is free, but donations are welcome upon exit. The mosque is closed during ritual prayer but mosque volunteers provide you with a free presentation about the Mosque and also about Islam during that period. Women need to wear head scarves, which can be borrowed at the mosque for free. Everyone needs to cover their legs (no shorts or short skirts).

http://wikitravel.org/en/Istanbul/Sultanahmet-Old_City

Sultanahmet "Blue" Mosque

Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque and the Leaning Tower

dubai - abu dhabi 2 days weekend solo backpacking
april 13-14, 2012 friday to saturday

day 1: abu dhabi city solo day tour
dubai airport arrival at night and bus trip to abu dhabi

how to go to grand mosque from abu dhabi bus terminal:

just ride any bus 3's from 400 series (400, 401, 403, 406) with a fare of only @ 2 AED only. tourist visit is allowed only from saturday to thursday, free entrance fee.

To reflect the true spirit of Islam, a religion of peace, education and tolerance, the Zayed mosque is open to all nationalities for structured visits. the mosques is open to visitors between 0900H and 1130H saturday to thursday. The guided tour commences at 0900H for approximately 60 minutes.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque