Scale model of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque displayed in Zayed Centre for Arabic Language in China

Beijing, June 5, 2012 (WAM) - A delegation from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) in Abu Dhabi, headed by Mr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director of the SZGMC, presented a scale model of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Centre for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Beijing, the Capital of China, in the presence of Omar Ahmad Al Bitar, the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of China. The architectural scale model is delicately constructed on a scale of 1:150 and reflects the unique Islamic artistic features of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The first scale model was given to the Malaysian Islamic Art Museum in 2011. The second scale model, in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Beijing, constitutes the continuation of a strategic partnership between SZGMC and museums, cultural and educational institutions and research centres which have the same goals in China. On this occasion, Mr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director of the SZGMC, stated that this move aims to promote cultural and intellectual cooperation among Islamic centres and establishments in the world, as the Islamic architecture constitutes, in this context, a bridge of communication between peoples. Al Obaidli praised the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Beijing and its role in supporting the study of Arabic language in China. He also presented to the Centre, a set of SZGMC published books, including the SZGMC's latest publication, Byoot Allah (the mosques), which analyzes and compares significant mosques throughout history to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It is worth mentioning that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, witnessed the opening ceremony of the new building of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Beijing on March 28th, 2012. In 1990, during his historic visit to the Republic of China (PRC), the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, "God rest his soul," instructed the establishment of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in Beijing, in order to support the process of learning the Arabic language and Islamic studies in China, and act as a bridge connecting the Chinese and Arab civilisations, working to deepen the concepts of dialogue, understanding and noble human values. – Emirates News Agency, WAM