One of 3 huge chandeliers (this is the smaller one, they are all alike) in the main prayer room. Look at detail of walls in rear -this is a must see place.

Detail of chandelier while laying on my back on the largest one piece carpet in the world.

It's all crystal.

The prayer clock - it will flash from this message( the six daily prayer names) to a time indicating what time of day prayers begin. In the middle are 2 dates, One the date we were there - June 11, 2009 and the Muslim calendar date June 18, 1430 - the date from which Mohammad did something.

Here we are in the Grand Mosque main prayer room with a Japanese Rear Admiral. His contingent of aides is behind the camera. We spoke to him for 15 minutes. He just arrived with his task force on his way to join the US Navy forces in patrolling the Gulf of Aden against Somali pirates. Of course we bragged on Alex and he was dutifully impressed. Cultures differences here are unique and celebrated. What a wonderful experience.

Lastly - look closely - the sign on left says Shoe Store in English and same on right in Arabic - you know Christine - She'll find a shoe store anywhere she goes - even the Grand Mosque !

Actually this is to store your shoes when you enter the mosque - must enter barefooted or with socks- as with all mosques -but you usually see a big pile of sandals outside the local mosques - how they find their way back to the rightful owner is a mystery to me.

Just note how HOT Christine is in the abaya Hubba- Hubba