Ralph Appelbaum Associates

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s new ground-breaking Light & Peace Museum – A Journey of Faith, Inspiration, and Coexistence at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, celebrates the principles of openness and tolerance that are central to the centre, the UAE, and the vision of its late ruler, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It highlights how these core values have inspired artistic expression and scientific endeavor, fostering a shared heritage for various cultures.

An immersive experience called Diya complements the museum in an adjacent space. Light serves as the main element behind this multi-sensory, interactive experience. Visitors are transported to a 360 degree room where light dances in all directions and sound fills the air.

Across five distinct narrative and experiential areas, the museum takes visitors on a journey of faith, coexistence and inspiration – integrating immersive environments and remarkable object displays alongside commissioned contemporary artworks, and cutting-edge technology to create a meaningful and inspiring narrative experience in seven languages.

The museum layout draws inspiration from Islamic geometry and architecture, featuring a series of intersecting circles that create curved walls, partitions, and thematic spaces, mirroring the design of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque itself.