On the banks of the palm tree-lined Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah sits the majestic Al Noor Mosque. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
The landmark on the Buhaira Corniche was built under the patronage of the wife of Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi
The Arabic word noor translates to light, an element that is intrinsically connected to Islamic culture, representing divine guidance and knowledge
Al Noor Mosque was completed in 2005, with space for more than 2,000 worshippers at a time
There are 34 cascading domes that sit on top of the structure
Covered with a delicate and graphic standing seam checked pattern, the central dome weighs approximately 100 tonnes and is supported by four main marble pillars
The two towering minarets of the mosque are 52-metres high with no balconies and are decorated with floral geometric designs and crowned with a conical peak
The colour of the mosque is a light beige with accents of pale blue, both of which reflect the surrounding environment
Ornamental parapets with a floral motif line the edges of the rectilinear base of the mosque
The floral motif create a distinction between the soft shapes of the domes the hard-lined rectangular elements of the mosque’s foundation
Al Noor Mosque is one of the few mosques that’s open to the public with tours available for individuals and groups
