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QURAN RECITATIONS FROM SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE

Surah Al-Baqarah

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NEWS & MEDIA

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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.

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Foreign Minister of Peru visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

Elmer Schialer Salcedo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by Alberto Alejandro Farje Orna, Ambassador of Peru to the UAE,

The Foreign Minister of Peru and his delegation were accompanied by 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, the minister said: “I feel grateful to be in this magnificent mosque. It is a place of worship and a space for tolerance, where people from all over the world gather under its roof. I believe that if our world had more landmarks like this mosque, and if the same efforts were made by men and women to build, organise, manage, and lead them, peace would prevail across the globe.”

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: Lights of Peace", the latest publication from the Cent 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.

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

His Excellency Joseph Aoun, President of the Republic of Lebanon, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by His Excellency Youssef Raji, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, along with the accompanying delegation.

The visit began with a stop at the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, where the delegation reflected on his enduring legacy and wise vision that laid the foundations for a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and peace among nations.

His Excellency and the delegation were received by His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, who accompanied  them on a tour of the mosque’s halls and outer corridors. The delegation was introduced to the mosque’s global message, which promotes dialogue, coexistence, and openness—values deeply rooted in the legacy of the late founding father. They were also briefed on the significant role played by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in promoting the essence of Islamic culture and fostering cross-cultural understanding worldwide.

During the tour, the delegation learned about the mosque’s foundation history and admired its architectural grandeur, intricate design elements, and rare artefacts—an embodiment of the finest contributions of Islamic civilisation throughout the ages. The mosque’s design harmoniously unites diverse artistic and architectural styles, creating a singular masterpiece that celebrates the beauty of cultural convergence.

On the sidelines of the visit, His Excellency stated:

“This magnificent religious landmark—through its beauty, architecture, and symbolic significance—reflects the UAE’s genuine commitment to preserving places of worship and ensuring they remain sanctuaries for connection, prayer, and unity.”

At the conclusion of the visit, the guest was presented with a gift reflecting the aesthetic spirit of the mosque: a compass inspired by the design of the mosque’s chandeliers, and a copy of the Centre’s latest publication, "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace". The book offers readers a visually rich journey through the mosque’s architectural marvels, showcasing award-winning photographs from the Spaces of Light competition that highlight the mosque’s unique design features.

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HIGHLIGHTS

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

The complimentary guided cultural tours organized by Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre offer an educational, cultural, and interactive experience, making it one of the most popular cultural activities for all age groups! The standard tour duration is approximately 45 minutes and is delivered in Arabic and English by qualified Cultural Tour Specialists at the Centre.

Overview

The late founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan aspired to build a mosque personifying the moderation of Islam. This vision became a reality with the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and a prominent landmark in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi. The first considerations to build the Mosque began in the late 1980s, and construction began on November 5th, 1996, and it opened for worship on Eid Al Adha 2007.

The Grand Mosque is a living reference of modern Islamic architecture that combines features and elements from various cultures across the Islamic civilization through its exquisite aesthetic and unique collections that have become the world's focus. While it also reflects the forward-looking vision of the founder, who sought for the Mosque to become a prominent religious and cultural edifice, and a platform that promotes notions of tolerance and cross-cultural communication. A vision also pursued by our leadership and embodied through the Mosque's position as a leading attraction for visitors from all over the world, firmly on the world tourist map.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque attracts millions of visitors from all walks of life who blend in harmony within a framework of noble values that emanate from the tolerant nature of the Islamic religion, and which are an essential part of the principles and values ingrained in Emirati society.

Through offering a system of services and programs that cater to the needs of a broad segment of worshippers and visitors, the Centre has secured its position among the world's top three popular attractions for years in a row, according to TripAdvisor's 'Travellers Choice Awards. Several award forums also recognized the Centre's accomplishments.

The Mosque was built on an elevated land that rises about 10 meters, on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, with a total area of more than 555,000 square meters and can accommodate about 55,000 worshippers.

The construction of the grand Mosque took approximately 11 years and its design and construction 'unites the world,' using artisans, craftsmen, and materials from many countries, including Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and of course the United Arab Emirates. More than 3,000 workers and 38 contraction companies participated in the Mosque construction!