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Al Etihad
20-03-2025
- Al Etihad
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Record-breaking numbers in 2024
20 Mar 2025 13:49 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi welcomed 6,582,993 worshippers and visitors in the past year, marking a 20 percent increase compared to 2023. This included 2,259,275 worshippers and those fasting and 4,262,781 tourists, while 60,937 visitors utilised the mosque's jogging 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 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 labour accommodations across Abu Dhabi. Additionally, 30,000 Suhoor meals were provided during the last ten nights of its status as a leading cultural tourism destination, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre recorded that 81 percent of its visitors in 2024 were international tourists, while 19 percent were residents of the global visitors, Asia led with 52 percent, followed by Europe (33 percent), North America (8 percent), Africa (3 percent), South America (3 percent), and Australia (1 percent).In terms of visitor nationalities, India topped the list with 841,980 visitors, followed by China (397,048), Russia (293,667), the US (204,018), Germany (149,277), the UK (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 centre's cultural tour specialists conducted 5,607 guided tours, attracting 75,752 visitors from around the 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 mosque also welcomed 309 high-level delegations, including visits from eight heads of state, a vice president, three state governors, four sheikhs and princes, nine prime ministers, seven deputy prime ministers, 11 parliament speakers, 63 ministers, 18 deputy ministers, 49 ambassadors and consuls, and 10 deputy ambassadors and five 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 civilisational dialogue, while also showcasing its unique Islamic architecture, visitor experiences, and world-class 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 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 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 can also benefit from El-Delleel, a multimedia eGuide available in 14 languages, providing virtual cultural tours for an enhanced self-guided Al Jami offers a diverse shopping and dining experience, featuring more than 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 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 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 museum offers interactive exhibits that incorporate advanced multimedia technologies, showcasing rare and unique artefacts 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 civilisations.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 its inauguration in November 2024, the museum has drawn significant interest from dignitaries, scholars, and enthusiasts of Islamic civilisation and arts, welcoming 9,728 visitors to 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 programmes, which were introduced in a fresh new format. This included the launch of a series of short educational films inspired by the values of 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 series reinforce the mosque's religious role and its commitment to serving 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 also produced the Rare Books series, which presents excerpts from some of the most valuable and rare books housed in the mosque's 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 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 Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre also 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 centre published the Light & Peace Museum Catalogue and the Al-Andalus: History and Civilisation Exhibition Catalogue, further enriching its collection of publications that document and celebrate Islamic heritage, architecture, and 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 centre also released an updated version of the Hijri Calendar video series, presenting it in a fresh format. The centre enhanced the interactive smart application for the 1446H Hijri Calendar, making it accessible across all cities and regions in the further expand accessibility, the centre launched the Interactive Roznamah, allowing users to explore the detailed content of the wall-mounted calendar and track prayer times effortlessly throughout the 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 percent of tourist attractions worldwide and earned the title of the Middle East's top cultural and historical attraction, according to TripAdvisor, the globally recognised travel and tourism platform.
Al Etihad
11-03-2025
- Al Etihad
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi received over 6.5 million worshippers, visitors in 2024
7 Mar 2025 15:38 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi welcomed 6,582,993 worshippers and visitors in the past year, marking a 20% increase from 2023, according to a statement from the included 2,259,275 worshippers and those fasting, 4,262,781 tourists, as well as 60,937 visitors who used the mosque's jogging the worshippers, 281,941 attended Friday prayers, while 709,875 participated in daily prayers, the statement said. Ramadan and Eid prayers attracted 617,458 worshippers, with the 27th night of Ramadan 1445H (April 5) breaking records with 87,186 attendees, including 70,680 worshippers, the highest in the mosque's part of the 'Our Fasting Guests' initiative, the centre distributed 2,150,000 iftar meals, with 650,001 served on-site and 1.5 million meals delivered to labour accommodations across Abu Dhabi. In addition, 30,000 suhoor meals were provided during the last 10 nights of 2024, 81% of visitors to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre were international tourists, with 19% from the UAE. Asia led with 52% of visitors, followed by Europe (33%), North America (8%), Africa (3%), South America (3%) and Australia (1%).India had the highest number of visitors (841,980), followed by China (397,048), Russia (293,667), the US (204,018), Germany (149,277), the UK (127,691), France (124,691), Italy (113,204), Pakistan (104,166), and the Philippines (86,898). The highest single-day attendance was on the second day of Eid Al Fitr (April 11), with 32,722 worshippers and visitors, the statement mosque's cultural tours saw 5,607 guided sessions, attracting 75,752 visitors, while 1,510 official delegation bookings brought 23,951 attendees. Among the 309 high-level delegations were eight heads of state, a vice president, three state governors, and 49 ambassadors and centre also introduced initiatives like the 'Unseen Glimpses' tour and 'Sura' evening tours from 10pm to 8am, offering exclusive insights into the mosque's architecture and atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy a self-guided experience using the 'El-Delleel' multimedia eGuide in 14 languages. The 'Souq Al Jami' offers over 50 retail and dining units, enhancing the visitor 'Light & Peace Museum' at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, features the immersive 'Diya – A Universe of Light' experience. The museum includes 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', plus a family section. It offers interactive exhibits and advanced multimedia technology, showcasing rare artifacts and fostering cultural dialogue. A major attraction of the museum is the 360-degree 'Diya – A Universe of Light' display with sensory effects, including wind simulations. Since its November opening, the museum has welcomed 9,728 2024, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre launched 115 episodes across various cultural and religious series, reinforcing its role in promoting Islamic knowledge. This included the new 'Kursi AlJami' series, which explores topics like supplication, the call to prayer, and Quranic interpretations, and the 'Wamda Fiqhiyyah' series featuring UAE Council for Fatwa members, focusing on religious duties. The centre also continued its existing series, including 'The Beautiful Names of Allah' ,'Architecture and Arts', and 'Gheras Al-Qiyam', as well as introduced the 'Rare Books' and 'Manuscripts' series showcasing valuable Islamic 2024, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre released several key publications: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Lights of Peace, featuring award-winning photos from the 'Spaces of Light' Photography Award, the Light & Peace Museum Catalogue, and the Al-Andalus: History and Civilization Exhibition Catalogue. These publications celebrate Islamic heritage, architecture and 2024, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continued its efforts with the 1446H Hijri Calendar Project, ensuring accuracy based on scientific, religious, as well as astronomical released a comprehensive wall-mounted 'Roznamah' calendar and a new desk edition, along with an updated Hijri Calendar video series. The centre also enhanced its interactive smart app for the 1446H Hijri Calendar, making it accessible across the UAE, and launched the 'Interactive Roznamah' to track prayer times throughout the year. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ranks among the world's top 1% of tourist attractions and was named the Middle East's top cultural and historical landmark by TripAdvisor, a leading online travel platform.
Arabian Business
08-03-2025
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque received over 6.5m visitors last year
Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre welcomed 6,582,993 worshippers and visitors in the past year, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to 2023. This included 2,259,275 worshippers and those fasting and 4,262,781 tourists, while 60,937 visitors utilised the mosque's jogging track. Among the total worshippers, 281,941 attended Friday prayers, while 709,875 participated in daily prayers. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi 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 labour accommodations across Abu Dhabi. Additionally, 30,000 Suhoor meals were provided during the last ten nights of Ramadan. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre recorded that 81 per cent of its visitors in 2024 were international tourists, while 19 per cent were residents of the UAE. Among global visitors, Asia led with 52 per cent, followed by Europe (33 per cent), North America (8 per cent), Africa (3 per cent), South America (3 per cent), and Australia (1 per cent). In terms of visitor nationalities: India topped the list with 841,980 visitors China (397,048) Russia (293,667) United States (204,018) Germany (149,277) United Kingdom (127,691) France (124,691) Italy (113,204) Pakistan (104,166) 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 eight heads of state, a vice president, three state governors, four sheikhs and princes, nine prime ministers, seven deputy prime ministers, 11 parliament speakers, 63 ministers, 18 deputy ministers, 49 ambassadors and consuls, and 10 deputy ambassadors and consuls.
