• The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is both a significant place of worship, and somewhere for visitors to learn about Islam. Getty Images
    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is both a significant place of worship, and somewhere for visitors to learn about Islam. Getty Images
  • On day two of the UAE papal visit in February 2019, His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, took a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    On day two of the UAE papal visit in February 2019, His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, took a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • The message of tolerance is shared at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as the UAE marks the Year of Tolerance. Wam describes the mosque as "a lighthouse of civilization calling for tolerance and moderation". Wam
    The message of tolerance is shared at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as the UAE marks the Year of Tolerance. Wam describes the mosque as "a lighthouse of civilization calling for tolerance and moderation". Wam
  • People walk through Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at night in January 2019. AFP
    People walk through Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at night in January 2019. AFP
  • Two Etihad and Emirates planes, followed by the Al Fursan aerobatic team, perform a display show over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to celebrate the UAE's 47th National Day and the Year of Zayed, in 2018. AP
    Two Etihad and Emirates planes, followed by the Al Fursan aerobatic team, perform a display show over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to celebrate the UAE's 47th National Day and the Year of Zayed, in 2018. AP
  • The sun rising over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's qubba, or domes, during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National
    The sun rising over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's qubba, or domes, during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National
  • A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunrise during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National
    A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at sunrise during Ramadan 2019. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's entrance in the morning. Reem Mohammed / The National
    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's entrance in the morning. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • A view of the mosque in a white sandy haze. Victor Besa / The National
    A view of the mosque in a white sandy haze. Victor Besa / The National
  • The full grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Reuters
    The full grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Reuters
  • The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is often lit, or dimmed, for world events, such as Earth Hour, as pictured. Wam
    The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is often lit, or dimmed, for world events, such as Earth Hour, as pictured. Wam
  • A father and his son greet each other after performing morning prayers on the first day of Eid-Al Fitr at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in 2019. Leslie Pableo / The National
    A father and his son greet each other after performing morning prayers on the first day of Eid-Al Fitr at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in 2019. Leslie Pableo / The National
  • A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the morning. Victor Besa / The National
    A look at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Inside the mosque. Victor Besa / The National
    Inside the mosque. Victor Besa / The National
  • People visiting the mosque during Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National
    People visiting the mosque during Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National
  • During Ramadan, people gather to break their fast outside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Pawan Singh / The National
    During Ramadan, people gather to break their fast outside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A glimpse inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. AFP
    A glimpse inside the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. AFP

Government

More than 6.6 million people visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque last year

Tourists and worshippers from all over the globe were welcomed to the spectacular site

The National

February 29, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

More than 6.6 million people visited Abu Dhabi's landmark Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque last year.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, which released the figures, said it had stepped up efforts to cement the iconic place of worship's status as a leading cultural destination.

Eight of ten visitors (4.1 million) were identified as tourists drawn to the capital from all parts of the world.

The largest number of tourists hailed from India (879,049), followed by Chinese visitors (704,680), with travellers from Russia (234,849), Germany (193,234) and France (155,223) completing the top five.

The striking mosque also opened its doors to more than 1.5 million worshippers, while a total of 70,500 enjoyed meals laid on by charitable organisations throughout the year.

According to the figures, more than 66,000 visitors took part in a total of 3,549 cultural guided tours led by mosque staff.

The mosque proved particularly popular during Ramadan, with more than 900,000 people visited during the first three weeks of the Holy Month.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is operated under the authority of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.

UAE