Where Silence Became a Prayer:
The gentle light of morning and the salty breeze mingling in the air made the journey even more enchanting. The car had already left the Etihad Towers behind, and their journey toward the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque had begun. Both faces glowed with excitement and quiet joy for this new experience.
While driving, the manager informed Richer politely,
"Sir, we will reach the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in about twenty to twenty-five minutes. You may spend one and a half to two hours there, so that afterward we can also visit Qasr Al Watan, which is located nearby."
Then, with a note of careful planning, he added,
"Sir, if we keep track of time, we'll be able to visit four to five places today."
Richer nodded in agreement.
"Alright, we'll be mindful of the time."
The car moved smoothly along wide, beautiful roads, heading toward their destination.
Ramish said,
"Richer, I'm very excited to see the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. I've heard it's extremely beautiful."
Richer replied,
"I've heard the same too, but we can only truly say something once we've seen it ourselves."
Soon, from a distance, the magnificent view of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque began to appear. Wrapped in white marble and bathed in light, the mosque rose on the horizon with a majestic spiritual presence.
With a mix of awe and delight, Ramish said,
"Look, Richer… how grand and captivating the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque looks from the outside."
Richer fixed his gaze on the mosque and replied softly,
"Truly, it's breathtaking. These illuminated domes and the gentle light falling upon them—everything feels so spiritual and mesmerizing. If it is so beautiful and charming on the outside, what kind of spirituality and beauty will it have on the inside?"
Both of them fell silent, their eyes resting on the grandeur of the mosque.
Richer said,
"Ramish, it's far more beautiful than I had ever heard."
When the car stopped in the parking area, they stepped out and began walking toward the mosque. Without realizing it, Ramish held Richer's hand, and together they moved forward.
The beauty of the pathway surprised Richer. Smiling, he said,
"Ramish, the paths leading to the mosque are so beautiful. The palm trees, the carefully arranged flowers, the greenery—everything makes this place feel incredibly inviting."
Ramish replied softly,
"Indeed, this place brings peace to both the eyes and the heart."
Passing through these graceful pathways, they entered the boundaries of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque—
where white marble reflected the sunlight with a milky glow, and light, silence, and spirituality blended together, soothing the soul.
Taking a gentle breath, Richer said,
"Ramish, this place is unbelievably beautiful… and so deeply calming."
Ramish looked around and replied in a soft, reflective tone,
"Everyone who comes here finds peace, Richer. This is not just a place of worship—it is a healing balm for wounded hearts. The kind of peace one finds here is rare elsewhere."
Richer silently looked at Ramish.
Then Ramish lifted his gaze and gestured toward the towering minarets that seemed to touch the sky.
"Look, Richer… these tall minarets. The light falling upon them feels like a shower of divine radiance, as if light itself is raining down upon the minarets and domes."
Richer stood quietly, gazing at the minarets and domes. A strange glow appeared in his eyes, as if he were losing himself in that divine light—detached from the world, only for a moment.
After a while, Ramish gently took Richer's hand and led him to sit beside the beautiful pool inside the mosque. Ramish sat beside him, and together they admired its serenity. Sunlight reflected upon the blue water, where the image of the mosque trembled softly—like a silent prayer breathing within the water.
Many people from different countries were taking pictures there.After a few moments, Ramish too took out his phone and captured a few pictures of them together—pictures in which silence spoke than smiles.
Then Richer said softly,
"Let's go inside now."
They stood up and walked slowly toward the vast courtyard of the mosque. As soon as they entered, both Richer and Ramish were left in awe by its grandeur and beauty.
Looking down at the ground, Richer said,
"Ramish, this white floor is so clear and radiant—almost like glass. And the floral patterns embedded within it make the courtyard even more beautiful."
Ramish smiled and replied,
"Yes… and this gentle sunlight, Richer—it makes those floral designs even more vivid and graceful, as if the light itself has chosen to stay here."
Ramish looked gently toward Richer and said in a low voice,
"Before we go inside, we'll need to take off our shoes and perform ablution.
Richer nodded in agreement, as if he too had begun to feel the quiet sanctity of the place.
They walked to a designated rack along one side of the courtyard, removed their shoes, and placed them neatly in order.
Even in this simple act, there was a calm seriousness—as though every movement carried reverence.
Pointing toward the area for ablution, Ramish said softly,
"Just do it the way I do.
Washing your face and hands will be enough."
Richer replied with a faint smile,
"Alright."
Then both of them performed the ablution in silence.
The cool flow of water cleansed not only their hands and faces,
but seemed to wash away the fatigue and noise settled upon their hearts.
With reverence and silence, they both walked toward the inner part of the mosque. Their steps slowed naturally, as if this sacred space did not allow loud voices or hurried movements.
As soon as they entered, Richer's eyes fell upon the massive, exquisitely crafted carpet. He said softly,
"Ramish, look at this carpet… such fine craftsmanship, as if every thread has been woven with devotion and love."
Ramish replied quietly,
"It's handmade. It was written on the notice board outside. Perhaps that's why it carries such warmth and a spiritual presence."
They continued to admire the inner beauty of the mosque—
the towering ceilings, glowing chandeliers, Quranic verses engraved on the walls, and the profound calm spread throughout the space.
After a while, Ramish looked at Richer gently and said,
"Come… sit with me."
Ramish gestured for Richer to sit as well, and Richer sat beside him, with silence.
In a soft voice, Ramish said,
"Richer, if you want to make a prayer here, you may. Ask for whatever your heart desires—this is a place where everyone is heard."
Saying this, Ramish closed his eyes and raised his hands in prayer. His face reflected deep serenity and devotion. Richer watched him silently.
When Ramish finished his prayer and opened his eyes, his hands covering his face,, he saw Richer still gazing at him quietly.
Ramish asked softly,
"Didn't you ask for anything?"
Richer replied with slight uncertainty,
"I… don't really know how to pray."
Ramish smiled gently and explained,
"Just raise your hands like I did. Close your eyes, and ask from your heart."
Richer quietly raised his hands and closed his eyes. Perhaps no words reached his lips, but his heart spoke everything that language could not. After a few moments, he slowly his hands covering his face.
They both stood up and walked around the mosque, taking a few pictures near its grand doors. Then they sat quietly for some time, absorbing the peace that words could never fully describe.
Finally Both of them returned to the courtyard of the mosque and put on their shoes, Richer said softly,
"Ramish… we should go now. It's been almost two hours. The manager must be waiting."
They slowly walked out of the mosque, their steps heavy—as if leaving this peace was not easy. Outside, they reached the car where the manager was waiting.
And so, this spiritual moment—
woven with silent prayers, gentle emotions,
and peace settling deep within the heart—
left behind a beautiful memory
etched forever in both their souls.