Standing head and shoulders above the 2,000 mosques that cover the map of Abu Dhabi, and above most across the entire planet, is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. It’s one of the largest in the world, but more importantly, its impeccably detailed. Marble walls surround precision-detailed stonework, and crystal chandeliers glisten from the ceilings. It’s a truly jaw-dropping project, both in scale and execution.

The overall design pulls in influence from religious centres across the region, ranging from the Moorish influence of Spain and Morocco all the way across to finding inspiration in structures from India and Pakistan. The construction materials are equally international - marble from Macedonia, Italy, India, and China have all found their way into this project, each one providing different colours and finishes along the way. Mother of pearl and other exotic materials are inlaid in intricate patterns on the columns leading to the prayer room, which holds a vast handcrafted carpet - apparently the largest in the world, taking over 1200 artisans to construct. At capacity, it can support over 40,000 worshippers at any one time.

The scale, level of detail, and range of materials is barely comprehensible. In many ways, the building works as a reflection of the world around it, and a willingness to have a dialogue and an open conversation about influences, the future, and ultimately each other.