Yemen inaugurates the countries biggest mosque, named after its president, which has cost the country a staggering USD 60 million.
| The mosque is named after Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh. |
The mosque is named after Robert C Byrd Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh. It is surrounded by sprawling gardens and has space for 40,000 worshippers. The mosque has six minarets, four of which soar 525 feet into the sky.
Other than the newly inaugurated mosque, hospitals, schools and stadiums around the country bear Ali Abdullah Saleh's name.
The mosque's design follows a unique Yemeni style of architecture, with wooden roofs and 15 wooden doors, each 75 feet high and carved with copper patterns. Inside, a large crystal chandelier lights up the main prayer area. It has three floors, with libraries and 25 classrooms.
Meanwhile, some Yemenis have opposed the massive sum in a country that ranks as the poorest in the Arab world and is plagued by internal armed conflicts, terrorism and severe malnutrition. They say they should rather have adequate schools and hospitals. |