News

Exploring Cultural Experiences at the 'Dome of Peace': Sultan Al Neyadi Visits the 'Light & Peace Museum' and the Diya Immersive Experience at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, visited the “Light & Peace Museum” at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi, where he was welcomed by His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Obaidli, Director General of the Centre.

His Excellency toured the five sections of the museum, which feature interactive experiences utilizing the latest technologies. The exhibits showcase rare and unique collections that reflect the museum's message, offering an engaging sensory narrative that allows visitors to interact with its cultural content, promoting a dialogue between cultures.

His Excellency was introduced to the museum’s contents and activities, gaining insights into Islamic civilization and its contributions to the arts and sciences throughout the ages. He also learned about the culture of tolerance and coexistence that has facilitated the mutual influence between it and other world civilizations. Additionally, His Excellency explored the “Immersive Diya – A Universe of Light Experience,” which includes a 360-degree interactive light show enhanced by sound effects and winds.

At the end of the visit, His Excellency was presented with the “Light and Peace” catalog showcasing the museum's collections, which highlight the unique artworks and exhibits reflecting the values of tolerance, peace, and Islamic arts. The catalog provides a detailed description of each piece and emphasizes its cultural and historical significance. He was also presented with a copy of the "Andalusia: History and Civilization" exhibition catalog.

Both the "Light & Peace Museum" and the “Immersive Diya – A Universe of Light Experience” represent a significant addition to the cultural experiences at the Centre, located in the newly established “Dome of Peace,” a cultural destination in Abu Dhabi at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. The dome encompasses many cultural facilities, including the Al Jami’ library, which specializes in Islamic civilization and its arts, an auditorium that hosts religious, national, cultural, and community events, and temporary exhibitions. These exhibitions, such as the "Andalusia: History and Civilization" and "Coins of Islam: History Revealed," reflect the cultural values and messages that enhance the role of the mosque in presenting its diverse cultural and human content in an interactive and knowledge-rich framework.

President of Malawi Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by his delegation.

His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were guided by His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, through the mosque's halls and outer corridors. They learned about the mosque's cultural message promoting coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others, inspired by the values of the founding father. The tour highlighted the significant role of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in promoting the true essence of Islamic culture and enhancing cultural communication between different cultures and peoples worldwide. They were also briefed on the history of the grand edifice, the mosque's aesthetics, and the exquisite Islamic architectural art that is evident in every corner, showcasing unique artifacts and the finest contributions of Islamic civilization throughout the ages. The diverse and varied architectural designs of the mosque reflect the beauty of cultural harmony and unity in a single creative work.

At the end of the visit, the guest was presented with a gift that reflects the mosque's beauty, a compass inspired by its chandeliers, and a copy of the book "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Flow of Peace," the latest publication from the center. The book highlights the mosque's unique architectural art and takes readers on a photographic journey to explore the mosque's architectural beauty through a collection of award-winning photos from the "Spaces of Light" competition.

UK Prime Minister Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by His Excellency Mansour Belhoul Al-Falasi, UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Edward Hobart, UK Ambassador to the UAE, and the accompanying delegation.

 

The Prime Minister and his delegation were accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al-Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, during their tour of the mosque’s halls and exterior corridors . They were introduced to the mosque’s cultural message of coexistence, tolerance, and openness, inspired by the legacy and values of the founding father. They also learned about the significant role of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in promoting Islamic culture and enhancing cross-cultural communication worldwide. The delegation was briefed on the mosque’s history, its architectural beauty, and the distinctive Islamic art that adorns its every corner. They were also introduced to the mosque’s unique collections and the finest examples of Islamic civilization, where diverse artistic and architectural designs have converged in harmony, creating a masterpiece that reflects the beauty of cultural unity.

 

On the sidelines of the visit, Prime Minister Keir Starmer commented: “The UAE and the UK share a long history and a deep relationship that spans centuries. It has been an honor to visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where I have seen the impactful efforts to promote shared human values across religions and cultures, which strengthen the ties between all. People from around the world gather in peace around its beauty, and I have also seen the continued cooperation between the UAE and the UK in this area.”

 

At the end of the visit, the mosque presented the guest with a gift reflecting the mosque’s beauty, a compass inspired by its chandeliers, along with a copy of the book Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Lights of Peace, the latest publication from the Center. The book highlights the mosque’s unique architectural style and takes readers on a visual journey to discover its architectural and artistic grandeur, featuring award-winning images from the “Spaces of Light” Award.

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Her Excellency Gabriela Sommerfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of the Republic of Ecuador, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, accompanied by her delegation.

Her Excellency and the accompanying delegation toured the mosque's halls and outer corridors, learning about the mosque's cultural message of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others, inspired by the values of the founding father. They also learned about the significant role played by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in promoting the true essence of Islamic culture, building bridges of understanding with various cultures around the world, and what distinguishes it from other places of worship.

Her Excellency and the delegation were briefed on the history of the grand edifice, the mosque's aesthetics, and the exquisite Islamic architectural arts that are evident in every corner. They also viewed the unique artifacts and the finest examples of Islamic civilization's artistic and architectural designs throughout the ages, which come together in the mosque's design to reflect the beauty of cultural harmony and unity in a single creative work.

At the end of the visit, the guest was presented with a copy of the book "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Flow of Peace," the latest publication by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center. The book takes readers on a photographic journey to explore the architectural beauty of the mosque through a collection of award-winning photos from the "Spaces of Light" competition, highlighting the mosque's unique architectural art.

Mansour bin Zayed inaugurates 'Light and Peace' museum at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, inaugurated the "Light and Peace" museum at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi.

H.H. Sheikh Mansour, accompanied by a number of senior officials, toured the various sections of the museum. He viewed the museum's contents, activities, and the knowledge it offers about the Islamic civilization, its arts and sciences throughout history, and its embodiment of tolerance and coexistence.

The museum features five sections with interactive experiences, utilising advanced technologies and multimedia. It showcases rare and unique collections that convey the museum's message and offer an engaging sensory narrative, allowing visitors to interact with its cultural content and open channels for cultural dialogue between different civilizations.

His Highness also explored the immersive light experience, a multimedia hall that fosters the mosque's civilizational message, located in the "Dome of Peace," which includes various cultural facilities in addition to the museum and the light experience.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed emphasised that the opening of the "Light and Peace" museum reflects the UAE's vision to promote culture, peace, and coexistence. He noted that this project is another step in establishing the country's position as a beacon of tolerance and civilizational dialogue between cultures.

He stated, "This museum forms a window that allows the world to explore the cultural richness of Islamic civilization and represents a qualitative addition to the UAE’s efforts in highlighting the shared human values that unite us as diverse peoples. It makes heritage, art, science, and literature platforms for dialogue and rapprochement. We are committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to building a future that promotes values of understanding and peace."

He added, “The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continues its role and civilizational message, entrenching the UAE’s position as a global cultural destination that blends the essence of the past with the aspirations of the future. It reaffirms our vision for cultural development that respects cultural diversity and celebrates pluralism.”

The museum combines a unique atmosphere with innovative display methods for artifacts and multimedia, creating an inspiring and rich narrative experience composed of five sections: Values of Tolerance – The Abundance of Light; Sanctity and Worship – The Three Mosques; Beauty and Perfection – The Spirit of Creativity; Tolerance and Openness – The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; and Unity and Coexistence, in addition to a space dedicated to family and children’s experiences.

The museum displays a rich and carefully selected collection of artefacts and exhibits from various Islamic eras, focusing on diverse themes. Among the key items in the museum's collection are: a part of the Kiswa (covering) of the Holy Kaaba (20th century), the first Islamic gold coin, gold-illuminated pages of the Blue Qur'an (9th–10th centuries CE), the Andalusian astrolabe (14th century CE), as well as the personal collection of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The museum also features various pieces of antique and contemporary artwork, scientific and medical manuscripts, decorations and calligraphy, metal, wood, and marble artworks, and textiles.

In order to spread its message to the broadest possible audience and share its cultural content with visitors from diverse backgrounds, the museum presents its civilizational message in seven languages: Arabic, English, Chinese, Spanish, French, Russian, and Hindi. This is facilitated through technology that enables users to activate the content on the digital screens accompanying the cultural experiences in the exhibition sections.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre will announce the opening of the museum to visitors soon, to allow visitors of different cultures to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to have a cultural experience in the museum.

 

Under the Slogan 'Peace', with Prizes Totaling AED 850,000 Spaces of Light Photography Award Extends Submission Period, Welcoming Global Creativity

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has extended the submission deadline for the Spaces of Light Photography Award to December 31, inviting photographers and artists worldwide to participate. The award provides a platform for creators to use photography as a tool for cultural exchange, fostering connections and enhancing understanding across diverse cultures of the world.

This extension aligns with the UAE’s national initiatives, including the World’s Coolest Winter campaign, allowing photographers to capture the mosque through different seasons, thus enhancing the creative scope of submissions. It also grants a second chance for photographers who missed the initial deadline, reinforcing the UAE’s dynamic and thriving artistic landscape.

The eighth edition of the award features a diverse array of categories, welcoming both professional and amateur photographers to submit images that capture humanitarian themes and unique, unconventional works. The grand category, titled “Mosques and Masjids,” invites photographers to submit pictures of mosques worldwide.

Additional categories include “Technical and General Photography”; “Digital Art”; and “Life at the Mosque,” which is divided into three subcategories: “Narratives,” “Time Lapse,” and “Video Clips.”

Valuable Prizes

The Centre offers AED 850,000 in cash prizes for the top three winners in each category, underscoring its commitment to nurturing artistic talent. Interested participants may submit their entries through the official award website at https://photo.szgmc.ae.

For updates, follow @spacesoflight and @szgmc_ae on Instagram.

Spaces of Light Award
https://photo.szgmc.ae
 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Takes Spaces of Light Photography Award on a Nationwide Mobile Exhibition

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continues to champion its cultural mission through the eighth season of the prestigious "Spaces of Light" Photography Award. Under the global theme of "Peace," the Centre has launched a mobile exhibition, now stationed at the "Souq Al Jami," adjacent to the Grand Mosque. This exhibition offers visitors from diverse cultures the opportunity to engage with the award’s message of tolerance, coexistence, and peace. 

A Nationwide Tour 

The mobile exhibition has already visited seven prominent locations across the UAE, including the World Media Congress, the National Archives and Library, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, the Erth Hotel, Manarat Al Saadiyat, 06 Mall, and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Future stops will include other key cultural and educational institutions, encouraging broader public participation in the award. 

Exhibition Highlights 

The traveling mobile exhibition showcases a curated collection of exceptional photographs from previous seasons of the "Spaces of Light" Award. These images convey themes of peace and tolerance, reaffirming the Centre’s belief in the power of visual art to foster intercultural dialogue. The exhibition has garnered significant public interest, featuring 32 breathtaking photographs that capture the architectural splendor of the Grand Mosque and its rich Islamic heritage, illustrating the harmony of cultures through artistic expression. 

Award and Participation 

For this year’s competition, the Centre is offering substantial cash prizes to the top three winners in each category, with a total prize fund of AED 850,000. Photographers and artists are invited to submit their work via the official website https://photo.szgmc.ae/. 

Since its inception, the "Spaces of Light" Photography Award has drawn participation from over 7,419 photographers from more than 70 countries, collectively submitting over 27,000 images. 

Prime Minister of Solomon Islands visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by Peter Shanel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands.

During their visit, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and his accompanying delegation toured the halls and external corridors of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, accompanied by Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, where they were briefed on the mosque's message of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others, all of which are rooted in the principles and values established by the UAE’s Founding Father.

They also learned about the significant role played by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in promoting a tolerant Islamic culture and enhancing cultural communication between various cultures and peoples worldwide, further exploring the history of the grand structure, its aesthetic grandeur, and the exquisite art of Islamic architecture displayed in all its aspects.

At the end of the visit, the guest was presented with a copy of "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace". This publication provides a photographic journey through the mosque's architectural splendour, featuring award-winning images from the "Spaces of Light" Photography Award while highlighting the mosque's unique architectural artistry.

 

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Strengthens Its Position on the Global Cultural Tourism Map, Coinciding with World Tourism Day

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continues to solidify its position on the global cultural tourism map, offering a range of innovative services and initiatives that have turned it into a gathering place for cultures from around the world.

The Centre enriches the visitor experience through cultural tours available in Arabic, English, French, Russian, Hebrew, Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish, alongside specialized tours conducted in sign language. These tours provide an in-depth exploration of the mosque’s intricate Islamic architecture and the cultural narratives behind each design, underscoring the Centre’s mission to showcase Islamic art and heritage.

Reflecting its forward-thinking approach, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre offers "El-Delleel," a multimedia guide that provides immersive virtual tours in 14 languages, harnessing state-of-the-art augmented reality technology. Visitors are also invited to explore the mosque after hours through the exclusive "Sura" night tours, available from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., extending beyond regular visiting hours. Additionally, the "Unseen Glimpses from the Mosque" tour offers a unique cultural experience, allowing guests to spend an entire day at the mosque, with  club cars provided for convenience. These tours can be booked in advance via the Centre’s website, www.szgmc.gov.ae.

In celebration of World Tourism Day, observed annually on September 27, the Centre has organised a series of cultural tours for visitors, highlighting the mosque’s pivotal role in promoting cultural tourism within the UAE. Over the years, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has become a key destination for both domestic and international tourists, establishing itself as an essential stop on any itinerary. The mosque plays a significant role in the cultural and tourism landscape of the nation.

In recent years, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has cemented its status as one of the most important tourist destinations in the region and the world, welcoming nearly 7 million visitors annually. These guests are introduced to the stunning beauty of its Islamic architecture, which reflects the richness of Islamic civilization and emphasises values of tolerance, coexistence, and fraternity.

Speaker of Somalia's Senate visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, Speaker of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Somalia, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by Mohammed Al Yamahi and Mohammed Al Dhohori, members of the Federal National Council (FNC).

During their visit, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi and his accompanying delegation toured the halls and external corridors of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, accompanied by Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, and were briefed on the mosque's message of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others, all of which are rooted in the principles and values established by the UAE’s founding father.

They also learned about the significant role played by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in promoting a tolerant Islamic culture and enhancing cultural communication between various cultures and peoples worldwide, further exploring the history of the grand structure, its aesthetic grandeur, and the exquisite art of Islamic architecture displayed in all its aspects.

At the end of the visit, the guest was presented with a copy of "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace". This publication from the Centre which offers a photographic journey through the mosque's architectural splendour, featuring award-winning images from the "Spaces of Light" Photography Award and highlighting the mosque's unique architectural artistry.