Sharjah 24 – WAM: Karl Nehammer, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Friday visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as part of his official visit to the UAE.

He was accompanied by Hamad Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Austria, and the accompanying Austrian delegation.

The Austrian chancellor commenced his tour by visiting the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and recalled the Founding Father’s qualities and wise approach that enriched the culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence among various nations of the world.

Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC), accompanied the Austrian Chancellor and his accompanying delegation on a tour of the mosque’s halls and external corridors, during which they were briefed about the mosque’s noble message that highlights notions of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to other cultures, inspired by the nation’s late founder’s rich legacy, and about the mosque’s leading role in highlighting the Islamic culture’s true essence and promoting cross-cultural communication worldwide.

They were also briefed about the history, components, and esthetic features of Islamic art and architecture manifested in every corner of this grand edifice that crate a mesmerizing fusion of various architectural styles from different eras reflecting commonalities amongst cultures and uniting the world through art.

At the end of the visit, the guest was presented with two of the Centre’s distinctive publications. The first titled “Spaces of Light", showcasing the winning photographs in the “Spaces of Light” photography award, and another copy of a book titled “Houses of God” about places of worship in the Islamic history