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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi: Premier Religious, Cultural, and Touristic Destination During Eid Holidays

Diverse Experiences Await Mosque Guests

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has prepared to welcome worshippers for Eid Al-Fitr prayers, ensuring services that provide comfort, tranquility, and spiritual fulfillment. In addition, the mosque will offer various enriching experiences to visitors during the Eid holidays. Last year, the mosque welcomed 217,052 guests during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays, including 98,427 worshippers—among them 37,716 who performed Eid prayers—and 118,082 visitors.

Cultural Tours: Rich and Enlightening Experiences

In celebration of Eid, the Centre has enhanced its cultural tours to highlight Islamic and Emirati heritage associated with the occasion. Conducted in Arabic and English, these tours emphasize the significance of Eid Al-Fitr and its underlying values of equality and unity among diverse cultures. Guests also learn about local customs such as family gatherings, Eid gifts (Eidiyah), and other traditions deeply embedded in UAE culture. The tours further enrich visitors’ knowledge of the mosque’s architectural and artistic elements, underscoring its role in promoting Islamic culture and arts.

Exceptional Experiences

Guests can enjoy unique experiences such as the “Unseen Glimpses of the Mosque” tours, offering an extraordinary cultural day. Additionally, nighttime cultural tours, “Sura,” available from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM, provide a rare glimpse into the mosque’s maintenance and special cleaning activities. Visitors can also benefit from the “El-Delleel” multimedia device, offering virtual cultural tours in 14 international languages.

Family-Friendly Experience

Recognized as a leading cultural and touristic landmark, the Centre provides an ideal family experience, including the “Souq Al Jami” marketplace, the Peace Dome featuring the “Light & Peace Museum,” and the interactive “Diya – A Universe of Light” experience. Visitors can spend an entire day exploring over 50 commercial outlets, restaurants, luxury stores, kiosks, and diverse entertainment areas catering to family members of all ages. More information is available at www.souqaljami.ae.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a unique religious, cultural, and tourist destination and a remarkable architectural icon. It aims to highlight the tolerant spirit of Islamic culture and foster intercultural dialogue. Welcoming visitors with its magnificent presence and exceptional design, the mosque continues to affirm its position as one of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent landmarks.

More Than 105,000 Worshippers Gather at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi for 27th Night of Ramadan

Creating a Unique Spiritual Atmosphere with Comprehensive Services and Organisational Support for Worshippers' Comfort.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi welcomed a record-breaking 105,310 guests on the 26th day and the night of the 27th of Ramadan, marking the mosque’s highest-ever attendance.

A total of 77,710 worshippers attended prayers, including 11,483 who performed Taraweeh and 61,050 who observed Tahajjud prayers in an atmosphere filled with tranquility and spiritual reflection. Additionally, 27,600 guests attended the mosque’s Iftar meals, demonstrating a remarkable display of cultural diversity united by shared spiritual values.

The mosque’s prayer halls, corridors, and expansive courtyards were fully occupied, vividly illustrating the profound Islamic principles of unity and inclusivity that brought together worshippers from diverse backgrounds. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre provided comprehensive and exceptional organizational support, ensuring comfort and convenience for all attendees.

The night was marked by recitations from Fawzi Buwan and Imam Idris Abkar of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Imam Abkar led the prayers, seeking continued security and prosperity for the UAE, wisdom and guidance for its leadership, mercy and forgiveness for the nation’s founders and all deceased Muslims, and the acceptance of prayers and good deeds from everyone present.

We Volunteer to Give Back to Our Homeland

In alignment with the Centre’s core value, “We Volunteer to Give Back to Our Homeland,” and its strategic pillars, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s organizing committees formed teams comprising the Centre’s staff to ensure all necessary services for worshippers arriving from across the UAE. These teams worked alongside volunteers from Emirates Red Crescent, “Absher Ya Watan” volunteer group, “Ma’an” volunteer team, as well as police officers, paramedics, civil defense personnel, and traffic management staff from Mawaqif and Saaed. The Centre increased its volunteer numbers, exceeding 580 volunteers who collectively provided exemplary services, facilitating a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for all worshippers.

Integrated Services

Anticipating high attendance on the 27th night of Ramadan, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre proactively arranged comprehensive facilities, providing 8,379 parking spaces, including 1,500 dedicated spaces for women and 60 for People of Determination. Additional parking was made available opposite Grand Mosque Street near Al Ta’ayush – Gate 7., Zayed Sports City, Erth Hotel, and the mosque’s eastern parking areas adjacent to Wahat Al Karama. The Centre also organized shuttle buses to efficiently transport worshippers between the parking locations and the mosque, ensuring smooth traffic flow around the mosque.

Furthermore, Abu Dhabi Police implemented a thorough traffic management plan, increasing police presence and intensifying traffic patrols on all roads leading to the mosque to prevent congestion and facilitate smooth access for worshippers.

Dedicated Efforts and Continuous Support

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre utilized all available resources to serve the worshippers, from welcoming them at the parking areas to managing their entry into prayer halls. More than 70 electric vehicles were deployed to transport worshippers to the mosque’s facilities and prayer halls, along with over 3,500 comfortable seating arrangements and more than 50 wheelchairs for elderly visitors and People of Determination. The mosque’s main prayer area was equipped with over 1,500 specially designed prayer rugs inspired by the mosque’s main carpet, and over 30,000 disposable prayer mats were provided in areas surrounding the courtyard. Additionally, the Centre distributed 3,000 Suhoor meals following Tahajjud prayers.

Sunrise to Sunrise _Around-the-Clock Service

Following the 27th night of Ramadan, the Centre’s teams maintained their high level of service, welcoming daily visitors from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM throughout the final ten days of Ramadan. During the holy month, the mosque received over 18,000 visitors each day, demonstrating the Centre’s unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive services around the clock.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque- Abu Dhabi Welcomes Over 6.5 Million Worshippers and Visitors in 2024, Marking a 20% Increase from the Previous Year

Over 5,600 Cultural Tours Showcase the UAE’s Message of Peace and Coexistence

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi welcomed 6,582,993 worshippers and visitors in the past year, marking a 20% increase compared to 2023. This included 2,259,275 worshippers and those fasting and 4,262,781 tourists, while 60,937 visitors utilized the mosque’s jogging track.

Among the total worshippers, 281,941 attended Friday prayers, while 709,875 participated in daily prayers. Ramadan and Eid prayers attracted 617,458 worshippers, with the 27th night of Ramadan 1445H (April 5) witnessing a record-breaking 87,186 attendees, including 70,680 worshippers, the highest number in the mosque’s history.

As part of the ‘Our Fasting Guests’ initiative, the Centre prepared 2,150,000 iftar meals, with 650,001 meals distributed within the mosque’s premises and 1.5 million meals delivered to labor accommodations across Abu Dhabi. Additionally, 30,000 Suhoor meals were provided during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

81% of Mosque Visitors from Outside the UAE

Reaffirming its status as a leading cultural tourism destination, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre recorded that 81% of its visitors in 2024 were international tourists, while 19% were residents of the UAE.

Among global visitors, Asia led with 52%, followed by Europe (33%), North America (8%), Africa (3%), South America (3%), and Australia (1%).

In terms of visitor nationalities, India topped the list with 841,980 visitors, followed by China (397,048), Russia (293,667), the United States (204,018), Germany (149,277), the United Kingdom (127,691), France (124,691), Italy (113,204), Pakistan (104,166), and the Philippines (86,898).

The highest single-day attendance was recorded on the second day of Eid al-Fitr (April 11), with 32,722 worshippers and visitors.

Meanwhile, the Centre’s cultural tour specialists conducted 5,607 guided tours , attracting 75,752 visitors from around the world. Additionally, 1,510 official delegation bookings were recorded, with 23,951 attendees taking part in guided experiences that highlighted the mosque’s cultural, religious, and architectural significance.

The mosque also welcomed 309 high-level delegations, including visits from 8 heads of state, a vice president, 3 state governors, 4 sheikhs and princes, 9 prime ministers, 7 deputy prime ministers, 11 parliament speakers, 63 ministers, 18 deputy ministers, 49 ambassadors and consuls, and 10 deputy ambassadors and consuls. Furthermore, 5 interfaith delegations, 62 military delegations, and 54 official delegations from various institutions visited the mosque. All attendees participated in cultural tours that provided insights into the mosque’s message of tolerance and civilizational dialogue, while also showcasing its unique Islamic architecture, visitor experiences, and world-class services.

The Centre further introduced a range of experiences that contributed to the increase in worshipper and visitor numbers, offering unique and immersive cultural journeys tailored to enhance the mosque’s visitor experience.

Among these initiatives is the ‘Unseen Glimpses’ tour, which takes visitors on exclusive guided explorations aboard club cars, unveiling hidden details of the mosque’s architecture and history that are not typically accessible in standard tours.

The Centre also launched the ‘Sura’ evening cultural tours, available from 10 PM to 8 AM, allowing guests—especially transit passengers—to experience the mosque’s serene atmosphere during the quieter nighttime hours. Participants gain rare insights into the mosque’s exceptional maintenance and cleaning processes, while also enjoying a tranquil and reflective ambiance that defines the mosque at night.

Visitors can also benefit from ‘El-Delleel’, a multimedia eGuide available in 14 languages, providing virtual cultural tours for an enhanced self-guided experience.

Additionally, ‘Souq Al Jami’ offers a diverse shopping and dining experience, featuring over 50 retail units, including restaurants, boutiques, kiosks, and entertainment spaces designed to cater to visitors of all ages. More details on the services available at Souq Al Jami’ can be accessed through www.souqaljami.ae.

The ‘Light & Peace Museum’

In the past year, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, inaugurated the ‘Light & Peace Museum’ at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, unveiling the ‘Diya – A Universe of Light’ immersive experience within the Peace Dome.

The museum features five sections: ‘Tolerance – A Guiding Light,’ ‘Sanctity and Worship – The Three Grand Mosques,’ ‘Precision and Beauty – The Spirit of Invention,’ ‘Tolerance and Openness – Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque,’ and ‘Universal Coexistence’; besides a dedicated family and children's section. The museum offers interactive exhibits that incorporate advanced multimedia technologies, showcasing rare and unique artifacts that reflect the museum’s message while providing engaging sensory storytelling, allowing visitors to actively engage with its rich cultural content and fostering dialogue between civilizations.

A key highlight of the museum is the ‘Diya – A Universe of Light’ interactive experience, a 360-degree immersive light display enhanced with sensory and auditory effects, including wind simulations that further elevate the experience.

Since its inauguration in late November, the museum has drawn significant interest from dignitaries, scholars, and enthusiasts of Islamic civilization and arts, welcoming 9,728 visitors to date.

115 Episodes of Cultural Series

In 2024, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre reaffirmed its pivotal role among Islamic thought institutions by presenting an enlightened image of Islam through its religious programs, which were introduced in a fresh new format. This included the launch of a series of short educational films inspired by the values of Islam.

As part of this initiative, the Centre introduced a new cultural video series titled ‘Kursi AlJami’, which explores various societal topics such as the best times for supplication, the meanings of the call to prayer, and interpretations of select Quranic verses, enriched by narratives from Islamic history and literature.

A second series, ‘Wamda Fiqhiyyah’, was also launched, featuring members of the UAE Council for Fatwa. This series focuses on religious and jurisprudential topics relevant to different segments of society, delivering content in a simplified manner that helps individuals understand their religious duties more effectively. Both series reinforce the mosque’s religious role and its commitment to serving the community.

The Centre continued to publish episodes of its existing religious and cultural series, including ‘The Beautiful Names of Allah,’ ‘Minbar Al Jami’, ‘Architecture and Arts,’ and ‘Gheras Al-Qiyam.’ It also produced the ‘Rare Books’ series, which presents excerpts from some of the most valuable and rare books housed in the mosque’s library. Additionally, through the ‘Manuscripts’ series, the Centre highlighted rare Islamic manuscripts available in microfiche format, offering the wider public insight into the historical treasures preserved within the library.

Throughout 2024, the Centre released 115 episodes across these cultural and religious series, further solidifying its mission to promote Islamic knowledge and heritage to a global audience.

New Publications

Last year, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre released its latest publication, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Lights of Peace, which takes readers on a visual journey through the mosque’s architectural beauty. The book features a collection of award-winning photographs from the ‘Spaces of Light’ Photography Award, showcasing the mosque’s distinctive architectural artistry.

In addition, the Centre published the Light & Peace Museum Catalogue and the Al-Andalus: History and Civilization Exhibition Catalogue, further enriching its collection of publications that document and celebrate Islamic heritage, architecture, and culture.

Preserving Islamic Cultural Heritage

In 2024, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continued its efforts in the 1446H Hijri Calendar Project, ensuring its accuracy based on scientific, religious, and astronomical principles. The Centre enriched the 1446H Hijri Calendar with comprehensive and integrated content, including the wall-mounted ‘Roznamah’ calendar and the newly introduced desk edition.

The Centre also released an updated version of the ‘Hijri Calendar’ video series, presenting it in a fresh format. Additionally, the Centre enhanced the interactive smart application for the 1446H Hijri Calendar, making it accessible across all cities and regions in the UAE.

To further expand accessibility, the Centre launched the ‘Interactive Roznamah’, allowing users to explore detailed content of the wall-mounted calendar and track prayer times effortlessly throughout the year.

Leading Global Rankings

As a result of its diverse initiatives and projects, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has secured a top global ranking among the world’s premier cultural and historical landmarks. The mosque was ranked among the top 1% of tourist attractions worldwide and earned the title of the Middle East’s top cultural and historical attraction, according to TripAdvisor, the globally recognized travel and tourism platform.