Most workers I’ve seen in the UAE are foreigners. So far I’ve spoken to people from Nepal, Pakistan, India, Philippines, and Rwanda. Several of the Uber drivers said to me that they can’t become UAE citizens. They have visas, which have to be renewed every two years.
One Uber driver told me that Uber take 33% commission. Another driver told me that most Uber drivers are renting their cars. He said it costs him 300 dirham UAE a day (about $80) to rent the car. He was happy because he was finally in the process of buying his own car.
When I finished admiring the Abu Dhabi Louvre, I took a taxi to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
It’s appropriate that shopping malls, these modern places of worship, should sit next to their older cousins
When I entered what I thought was the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, it was in fact a shopping mall! The mall and mosque were connected. They had a symbiotic relationship. Perhaps it’s appropriate that shopping malls, these modern places of worship, should sit next to their older cousins.
The closer you got to the mosque (the path was underground), the more vendors appeared. They were trying to persuade you to rent or buy clothes to cover yourself up before entering the mosque. Many westerners took up the offer. However, most people could walk into the mosque as they were.
It took about 30 minutes to walk the distance from the entrance, through the mall, and through security. At one point, I joked to two Indian men in front of me that India was missing a trick. It should combine their many temples with shopping malls. Far from laughing, they thought it was a good idea!
Opened in 2007, the mosque was commissioned by a former president. He didn’t live to see its completion but is buried in the courtyard.
The mosque itself is spectacular and pristine. In fact, this is a common theme in Abu Dhabi. Everything is sparkling. All the cars look new. I asked one of the Uber drivers about this. He said if your car doesn’t look clean, the police can fine you!
Most of the mosque was open to everyone. Some parts, understandably, were for worshippers only.
There were many visitors to the mosque. It was one of the biggest tourist attractions here. Scattered around the mosque were signs telling people where to take photos from!
The inside was as sumptuous as the outside.
After making my way around the mosque, I returned to the mall. I had a falafel in pitta bread, which was good.
It was dark by the time I got back to the hotel. I hadn’t explored the hotel. So I decided to walk around it and discovered a private beach! The sandy part was closed but there was plenty of seating. I sat and read for a while. It was a warm evening and the last night of my trip.
