Two landmark mosques united by name are at the heart of Ramadan celebrations in the UAE and Indonesia.
Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and its namesake in Solo, Indonesia, are opening their doors to worshippers in the spirit of the holy month.
Solo's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, named in a tribute to the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was inaugurated by President Sheikh Mohamed and Indonesian President Joko Widodo in November.
Though smaller than the Abu Dhabi original, it bears a remarkable resemblance to the architectural marvel with its striking white and gold decor, four minarets and a central dome surrounded by four smaller domes.
Sheikh Mohamed offered the $20 million building as a gift to Indonesia during his trip to the Muslim country in July 2019.
The place of worship is a meeting place for thousands of Muslims seeking to connect with others when breaking their daily fast.
It hosts a communal iftar each day with the capacity to serve up to 6,000 people.
Emirates Red Crescent, the humanitarian arm of the UAE government, has teamed up with Emirati charities to help organise the gathering.
Iftar is distributed in three large tents, under the supervision of volunteers from Mohamed bin Zayed University for Human Sciences and young men and women from the Solo region who are eager to help.
Thousands of kilometres away in Abu Dhabi, one of the world's largest mosques is also a focal point for those observing the holy month.
Worshippers turned out in force to perform Isha prayers on Tuesday evening.
Last year, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre provided 30,000 iftar meals every day at 10 worker centres across Abu Dhabi during Ramadan.
Meals are prepared at Erth Abu Dhabi hotel, close to the mosque.
Prayers held at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — in pictures
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Isha prayers were held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. All photos: Victor Besa / The National -
The place of worship is key to Ramadan celebrations -
Muslims take part in evening prayers at the mosque -
Five daily prayers are observed during the holy month -
Worshippers come together to mark Ramadan -
Young people commit themselves to their faith -
Worshippers of all all ages flocked to the mosque -
Muslims pray at the mosque -
Isha prayers were performed at the place of worship on Tuesday evening -
Worshippers attend prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque -
Muslims participate in prayers at the mosque -
The mosque will welcome worshippers throughout the holy month
