Al Ain Central Square and Sheikha Salama Mosque

The city square is located in the centre of town, close to the historical centre. There's a large fountain here, and around the square you'll find plenty of shops, souvenir stalls, cafes and restaurants, bank branches, beauty salons, and so on. Near the square stands the large Sheikha Salama Mosque, built of pale stone in an original style that distantly recalls constructivism, but with Arabian motifs. The mosque bears the name of Sheikha Salama bint Butti — mother of Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's first president, and his elder brother Sheikh Shakhbut, who ruled Abu Dhabi until 1966. After her husband's assassination in 1927, she took the young Zayed to Al Ain and made her sons swear never to fight one another; she lived in Al Ain until her death in 1970. The mosque can hold up to 3,000 people at once. The mosque is open to non-Muslims too: you can visit at any time except during Friday prayers; modest dress is required, and women will need a headscarf.

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