As a Global Model for Places of Worship: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Delivers Two Lectures in Moscow

As part of an official visit to Moscow, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) organised two lectures at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and Moscow State University titled “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – A Place for All, Creativity in a Specialized Field.” The sessions were delivered by His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of SZGMC, during the delegation's visit to prominent cultural and academic institutions in the Russian capital, where they met senior officials.

In the lectures—attended by around 100 university students, including Emirati nationals—His Excellency the Director-General of SZGMC detailed the Centre’s strategic journey in embodying the mosque’s global civilisational message. He highlighted the mosque's pioneering efforts in promoting tolerance and fostering intercultural dialogue. His Excellency further underscored the mosque’s distinctive position among global places of worship, emphasising its role in providing meaningful experiences that deepen visitors' understanding of Islamic culture and reflect the UAE’s dignified and enlightened global image.

The mosque attracts over six million visitors annually, with international visitors accounting for 81%, making it a key landmark in global religious and cultural tourism. It consistently ranks highly on TripAdvisor, with visitors expressing significant satisfaction with its services.
His Excellency the Director-General of the Centre likewise emphasised that these achievements reflect the visionary legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who envisioned the mosque as a platform for cultural dialogue and tolerance, evident in its architecture that blends diverse civilisational influences. Among its distinct features is the lunar illumination system, reflecting lunar phases and symbolising Islamic heritage's historical link with lunar cycles—a tradition meaningful across multiple cultures.

His Excellency also presented SZGMC’s "Al Shabab Al Banie" programme, encompassing initiatives such as "Ibn Al-Dar," the Junior Cultural Guide, Future Guide, and Youth discussions, highlighting youth as crucial drivers of societal progress. The Centre provides over 5,400 multilingual guided tours annually and offers night tours, the immersive "Diya – A Universe of Light" experience, the El-Delleel multimedia guide, and the "Bari Al Jami’ " Mural to enhance visitor engagement with Islamic heritage.

His Excellency drew attention to the "Spaces of Light" photography award, valued at AED 850,000, which has attracted 9,419 photographers from 70 countries, submitting over 30,000 images in its eight editions. “This award underscores art's power in fostering intercultural dialogue and celebrating the mosque’s universal aesthetic and civilisational mission.”
His Excellency the Director-General of the Centre highlighted the Centre’s significant "Ramadan at the Mosque" initiative, annually hosting over 1.8 million visitors and distributing around 2.15 million Iftar meals, alongside spiritual and cultural events, including the Ramadan Cannon and lectures by esteemed guests of His Highness the UAE President.

Further, he outlined SZGMC’s international outreach efforts, including participation in global events like Asia Travel Market in Singapore, World Travel Market in London, ITB Berlin, and the China International Fair for Investment and Trade. SZGMC’s mosque models have also been exhibited in over 20 global embassies and cultural institutions, enhancing its role as a cultural ambassador.

His Excellency noted that the average visitor stay at the mosque has increased from one to six hours, reflecting superior service quality. The Centre employs 515 professionals working around the clock, collectively contributing over 1.17 million work hours annually, managing extensive infrastructure including tunnels, escalators, elevators, lighting systems, and transportation.

During the visit, His Excellency the Director-General of the Centre met with leaders from MGIMO, the Russian State Library, and the Fund for Support of Islamic Culture, Science, and Education, discussing strategies to promote tolerance and peace globally and exploring museological exchanges, particularly through the Light & Peace Museum.
The delegation visited notable Russian cultural institutions such as the Kremlin Museums, the State Museum of Oriental Art, and the Russian State Library to observe best practices in museum operations and visitor management.

These activities coincided with unveiling a Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque model, the Light & Peace mobile library, and the Spaces of Light photography exhibition at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque, under the Jusoor Program’s "Minarets of the Two Capitals" initiative. Since 2012, this initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has launched over 21 mosque models globally.