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Prime Minister of Lebanon Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to His Highness the President of the UAE; His Excellency Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Culture of the Lebanese Republic; His Excellency Fouad Chehab Dandan, Ambassador of Lebanon to the UAE; and their accompanying delegation.

The Prime Minister and his delegation were accompanied through the mosque's halls and external courtyards by His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Obaidli, Director General of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. During the tour, His Excellency the Director General provided an overview of the mosque’s history, its civilisational mission promoting coexistence, tolerance, and openness inspired by the legacy and values of the founding father. He highlighted the significant role of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in introducing the compassionate essence of Islamic culture and fostering cultural dialogue among diverse peoples and civilisations worldwide.

Saeif Al Mutawa, Cultural Tour Specialist, offered the Prime Minister and delegation an in-depth explanation of the mosque’s architectural beauty, illustrating the exquisite Islamic artistry evident throughout the mosque. He showcased its unique artefacts and highlighted the diverse Islamic architectural traditions, whose harmonious integration within the mosque's design symbolises cultural convergence and creativity.

The delegation also visited the tomb of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, recalling his enduring legacy and wise approach that established the foundations of tolerance, coexistence, and peace among nations.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Prime Minister received a commemorative gift reflecting the mosque’s aesthetics, a compass inspired by its chandeliers, and a copy of the book "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace." The book presents readers with a photographic journey showcasing the mosque's architectural magnificence through selected images from the "Spaces of Light" photography award.

President of the Republic of Paraguay Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Santiago Peña, President of the Republic of Paraguay, accompanied by First Lady Leticia Ocampos de Peña, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. The delegation included His Excellency Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay; Her Excellency Dr Al Saghira Wobran Hamad Mubarak Al Ahbabi, UAE Ambassador to Paraguay; Her Excellency Carina Conther López, Ambassador of Paraguay to the UAE; and other accompanying officials.

The President and the delegation commenced their tour by visiting the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reflecting on his enduring legacy and wise vision that established foundations for tolerance, coexistence, and peace among diverse peoples worldwide.

Accompanied by His Excellency Dr Yousef Al Obaidli, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, the delegation toured the mosque’s halls and outer courtyards, where they learned about the mosque’s cultural mission promoting coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others—principles inspired by the UAE's Founding Father. They explored the Centre’s pivotal role in presenting Islamic culture and enhancing intercultural dialogue among peoples and cultures globally. The delegation also learned about the mosque’s historical background, architectural magnificence, and exquisite Islamic artistry clearly visible throughout, including unique collections that embody the richness and diversity of Islamic civilisation. The mosque’s distinct architectural style integrates various cultural influences into one harmonious, artistic masterpiece.

Reflecting on his visit, President Peña stated, "I am truly honoured to participate and be here. This is a deeply spiritual occasion for us to strengthen our relationship and build bridges between our cultures and nations."

At the conclusion of the visit, the distinguished guest received a commemorative gift symbolising the mosque’s aesthetic—a compass inspired by its chandeliers—and a copy of the Centre’s latest publication, “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Lights of Peace,” which highlights the mosque’s extraordinary architectural artistry through a photographic journey featuring images from the “Spaces of Light” Photography Award.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre: A Beacon of Cultural Diversity and Civilisational Openness

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre: A Beacon of Cultural Diversity and Civilisational Openness

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre stands as a prominent cultural landmark embodying the spirit of cultural diversity and civilisational openness. Seamlessly blending tradition and modernity, religion and art, local heritage and global perspectives, it extends beyond its majestic religious significance to become a dynamic platform celebrating multicultural dialogue and the convergence of civilisations.

The Centre vividly reflects the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed that cultural diversity is an inexhaustible source of enrichment, and openness towards others forms the foundation of social stability and human advancement. It hosts an array of vibrant events and programmes, representing a mosaic of global cultures.

A Space Celebrating Diversity

Annually welcoming millions of visitors from diverse cultures and nationalities, the Centre serves as an interactive space for cultural exchange. Guided cultural tours offered in multiple languages enable visitors to appreciate Islamic architecture, intricately woven with artistic influences from around the world, symbolising global heritage within this extraordinary landmark.

Last year, the Centre received 6,582,993 visitors, solidifying its prominent status on the global cultural tourism map, with international guests constituting 81% of visitors and local residents 19%.

Platform for Human Values

The Centre's cultural impact extends to educational and awareness initiatives that reinforce universal human values such as tolerance, coexistence, and acceptance of others. Key among these initiatives is the Jusoor Programme, along with artistic exhibitions and community-oriented projects, all of which promote societal awareness grounded in openness and cultural pluralism.

Jusoor Programme: Bridging Cultures from the UAE to the World

The Jusoor Programme is pivotal in highlighting cultural diversity within the Centre, fostering enriching dialogues between international visitors and the local community. Through engaging discussions and interactive sessions, visitors gain insights into Islamic culture, Emirati lifestyles, and the ethos of coexistence inherent in UAE society.

The programme comprises numerous initiatives designed to introduce individuals and institutions from diverse backgrounds to Islamic culture and the humanitarian values championed by the Centre. Participants explore the Centre's core message, inspired by the visionary legacy of the late  Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the wise leadership's commitment to humanistic principles and Emirati heritage.

One recent Jusoor initiative, "Minarets of the Two Capitals," involved unveiling a model of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a mobile library, and the "Spaces of Light" Photography Award Mobile Exhibition at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque. Since 2012, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Centre has inaugurated over 21 mosque models across various countries worldwide.

Land of Tolerance Platform

Reaffirming its role as a beacon of tolerance, peace, and human fraternity, the Centre introduced the "Land of Tolerance" platform, offering visitors a virtual journey that underscores the Mosque's cultural and civilisational contributions in promoting the UAE's global message of coexistence, peace, and harmony. This initiative embodies Sheikh Zayed's visionary ideals and the leadership's aspirations.

Light & Peace Museum: A Captivating Cultural Journey

Further enhancing its cultural offerings, the Centre launched the "Light & Peace " Museum and the immersive "Diya "Interactive Experience, blending art with technology to explore light as a metaphor for inner peace and spiritual openness. Beyond religious narratives, the museum celebrates human diversity through multilingual storytelling, underscoring universal human messages. Previous notable exhibitions include "Hajj: Memories of a Journey," highlighting pilgrimage traditions, and "Coins of Islam: History Revealed ."

Spaces of Light Award: Celebrating Architectural Diversity

The Centre celebrates architectural beauty and diversity through the "Spaces of Light" Photography Award, attracting global participation. This award epitomises cultural diversity, showcasing how each photographer uniquely perceives the mosque through their cultural and artistic lens.

A Global Beacon

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has become a premier cultural landmark in the Arab and Islamic world, renowned not only for its architectural splendour but also for its growing role in promoting cultural diversity as a civilisational value. It has garnered international acclaim as a monument harmonising spirituality and multiculturalism.

In an era marked by increasing challenges to pluralism, the Centre stands as an exemplary model of promoting positive cultural diversity, illustrating that intercultural dialogue does not lead to cultural erosion but celebrates, integrates, and builds enduring human bridges across time and place.