<copyright>Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a [Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).</copyright>
<img src="https://picturingjordan.com/2016/10/DSC_0024.JPG" alt="Beautiful mosque by the sea, surrounded by palm trees" />
<figcaption>
<h4>Beautiful mosque by the sea, surrounded by palm trees</h4>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The best way to describe the Sheikh Zayed mosque would be &ldquo;the pearl of Aqaba.&rdquo; There is a lot to love about this picturesque mosque by the Jordanian seaside, but its crown jewel—to continue the analogy—is the impeccable Arabic calligraphy inlaid in its facade. Sadly, Aqaba itself <a href="https://picturingjordan.com/2016/10/aqaba-dirty-disappointing/">isn&rsquo;t much to write home about</a>.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Originally built in 1975, the mosque was refurbished in 2010 as part of a larger <a href="http://www.marsazayed.com/">effort to revitalize the Red Sea port city</a> and was modeled after the <a href="http://www.szgmc.gov.ae/en/">Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque</a> in Abu Dhabi.</p></description>
<img src="https://picturingjordan.com/2016/10/IMG_20161002_131313.jpg" alt="A picturesque view where you can&#39;t see the trash on the beach" />
<p>I&rsquo;m struggling to find words to describe my trip to Jordan&rsquo;s coastal city Aqaba. Initially, the contrast between dry desert, rocky mountains, and the turquoise water of the Red Sea is quite striking—imagine Matt Damon in <em>The Martian</em>, but where he goes snorkeling on a coral reef instead of growing potatoes.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If that sounds too good to be true, it is! Sadly, I found Aqaba to be dirty—used diapers on the beach, locals arrogantly throwing trash on the street, trash floating around the reef, etc—and full of obnoxious, poorly behaved tourists.</p></description>