Todd,

That beard is in full effect! It's winter time-ish in Houston. I need to stay warm!

PS.. you have got to hear the mess I got myself into... :eek:

We visited the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi this past November while on vacation to the UAE (Formula One weekend). They conduct tours in English at the GM and you are allowed (encouraged) to take pictures inside and outside (however, you should refrain from taking pictures of UAE citizens in their traditional clothing). You should be dressed conservatively (no shorts). The mosque was very impressive and the tour was informative. You should visit Ferrari World also while you are there. And take the short drive to Dubai and spend a couple of days there. Visit the Burj Khalifi, tallest building in the world at over 2717'. Be sure and get tickets online to go to the observation floor.

Spent some time in Abu Dhabi as you will see Unlike other mosques in Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open daily to visitors, except on Friday morning, which is for worshippers only. The opening hours are 9am to 10pm (last entry at 9.30 pm) – Saturday to Thursday and 4.30pm to 10pm on Fridays. Complimentary one hour guided tours run (Sun-Thurs) at 10am, 11am and 5pm. Friday times are 5pm and 7pm and Saturday 10am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm and 7pm.

To check the current times,
visit szgmc.gov.ae

Drone,

Awesome! Anything else that I can swing in an evening after work? I think I'll tour the mosque one night.

Thanks everyone!

If you have a rental car and someone with you it is enjoyable just to cruise around town just be careful ...They drive like maniacs, you can't get lost, well maybe a little but that's the fun part. the A D mall is nice and the Rotana hotel has a good bar.

I've been in a mosque, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is illegal and it wasn't anything to write home about, but I did anyway!

I don't know about other Muslim nations, but in Saudi Arabia, a non-Muslim cannot enter a mosques (legally, that it). A lot of tile work, geometric patterns, rolled up prayer rugs, Korans all over the place, shoes piled at the door ... you get the picture

Unfortunately Islam is not just another religious group, don't kid yourself into thinking it's a religion of peace.

Its similar to state controlled "Christianity" in Europe's past. Extremely fractured as would be rulers split it off to create their own power bases.

I learned a bit from reading about the Mongul Empire, as there were two Caliph's at the time of the Monguls invading the ME.

Exceeded my wildest expectations. Still bouncing around over here... playing with a rock or two. ;)

For anyone that is considering the middle east as a travel destination - Go!

The Grand Mosque:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394084154.jpg

Emirates Palace:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083333.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083381.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083412.jpg

A small amount of skyscrapers:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083664.jpg

Client building:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083447.jpg

Ferrari World:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083483.jpg

The Gate:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083823.jpg

Rock or two:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1394083786.jpg