SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE CENTRE

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi welcomes nearly 7 million guests in 2025, achieving its highest annual figure on record and marking a 4% increase year on year

• More than 4,000 cultural tours conveyed the message and culture of the United Arab Emirates, rooted in peace and coexistence across the world’s diverse cultures.
• The Mosque welcomed 1,890,144 guests—worshippers and visitors—during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.
• The Centre distributed 2,625,568 iftar and suhoor meals through the ‘Our Fasting Guests’ initiative.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre received 6,846,723 guests in 2025, representing a 4% increase compared to 2024, and recording the highest annual figure in its history. The number of worshippers reached 1,531,192, including 257,859 who performed Friday (Jumu‘ah) prayers, 697,961 who performed daily prayers, and 575,372 who attended during Ramadan and the two Eids. The number of iftar guests reached 898,767, while the number of visitors totalled 4,331,046. Users of The Mosque Promenade reached 85,718.

Guests from outside the UAE comprised 82% of total visitors, while UAE residents represented 18%. Asia topped the list of guests by continent at 49%, followed by Europe at 33%, North America at 11%, Africa and South America at 3% each, and Australia at 1%.

By nationality, India ranked first at 20% of total guests, followed by China at 9%; Russia and the United States came third at 8% each. Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy ranked fourth at 3% each, followed by the Philippines and Pakistan at 2% each.

Cultural tours and official visits

A total of 55,730 guests joined the cultural tours delivered by the Centre’s cultural tour specialists, across 4,031 tours. In addition, 21,988 guests were received as part of official delegations, with 1,564 bookings recorded. The Mosque also welcomed 335 high level delegations, including visits by 9 heads of state, 2 vice presidents, 4 state governors and 1 deputy governor, 8 sheikhs and princes, 12 prime ministers and 2 deputy prime ministers, 6 parliamentary speakers and 1 deputy speaker, 78 ministers, 25 deputy ministers, 51 ambassadors and consuls, 3 deputy ambassadors/consuls, one visit by religious denominations, 70 visits from the military sector, and 62 official visits by delegations from various entities.

During Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, the total number of guests reached 1,890,144 (worshippers and visitors). Throughout the holy month and the Eid Al Fitr holiday, 594,236 performed prayers at the Mosque: 193,435 attended Isha and Taraweeh, 195,987 attended Tahajjud, 72,533 marked the 27th night of Ramadan, and 26,025 performed Eid Al Fitr prayer. During the same period, the Mosque received 391,011 visitors. Over the Eid Al Fitr holiday days, total guests reached 122,819, including 57,629 worshippers and 64,959 visitors—reflecting a 10% increase compared to 1445H.

‘Our Fasting Guests’ initiative

Through the ‘Our Fasting Guests’ initiative, the Centre distributed 2,625,568 iftar and suhoor meals, sponsored by the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation, and delivered in partnership with Erth Hotel. This included 898,767 meals at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi, 442,345 meals at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Al Ain, 1,160,000 meals in labour accommodations in Abu Dhabi, 105,935 meals in various areas across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and 19,000 suhoor meals distributed at the Mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Enriching cultural experiences

Throughout the year, the Centre continued enhancing guests’ experiences by developing its cultural tours and diversifying services, including the Souq Al Jami’ marketplace, ensuring varied experiences suited to different audiences. The Centre also strengthened its civilisational presence locally and internationally through initiatives such as ‘Minarets of the Two Capitals’ in Moscow as part of the Jusoor Program, and participation in the St. Petersburg International Forum of Religions.

The Light & Peace Museum welcomed 47,266 visitors, while Diya – A Universe of Light immersive experience received 45,699 visitors. The Al Jami’ Library welcomed 5,930 visitors. The Centre organised a range of cultural activations, including the Australian exhibition ‘Boundless Plains’, ‘Memory of Place’ in collaboration with the National Archives and Library, and ‘Artistic Features… Inspirations from Light & Peace’. It also delivered 16 cultural workshops involving 14 schools and 331 students, using innovative approaches to introduce them to the richness of Islamic culture.

The Centre further advanced its religious and cultural content by publishing 330 episodes across 12 knowledge series, including Kursi Al Jami’, Wamda Fiqhiyyah, The Most Beautiful Names of Allah, Minbar Al Jami’, Architecture and Arts, Gheras Al Qiyam, and Rare Books and Manuscripts. It launched an audio edition of “Houses of Allah: From the Great Mosque of Kairouan to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque”, alongside translated versions in Spanish, French, and Mandarin, in addition to publishing “Light & Peace” in support of the museum’s content, and the children’s story “Dīrat Al Durūr wa Al Tawāli‘”, which encapsulates ancestral knowledge. The Centre also continued its pivotal role in the Hijri calendar project, enriching the content of the 1447H edition on scholarly, Sharia, and astronomical foundations.

The Centre’s affiliated mosques

The Centre continued enriching the experiences of worshippers and visitors at its affiliated mosques, with guest numbers in 2025 recording notable growth compared to the previous year. Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain welcomed 1,032,320 guests, marking a significant 95% increase compared to 2024. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah received 660,110 guests, achieving a 10% increase. Meanwhile, the number of worshippers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah reached 147,348, reflecting a 35% increase compared to 2024—underscoring growing attendance at these religious and cultural landmarks and their expanding role in serving guests from diverse cultures.

Global standing and a stronger presence on the tourism and cultural landscape

These figures reflect the stature of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s most prominent religious, cultural, and tourism destinations, and its role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s cultural and tourism momentum by welcoming millions of guests annually, reinforcing the capital’s position as a global destination for civilisational dialogue and tolerance.

As part of ongoing efforts to elevate the guest experience and strengthen international visibility, the Centre achieved advanced positions among the world’s leading cultural and historical destinations, according to the travel and tourism platform Tripadvisor. The Mosque ranked 8th globally among the top 25 destinations worldwide,rising two places compared to last year, and maintained 1st place in the Middle East within the list of the region’s top ten landmarks.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre launches Contributions of Muslim Scholars initiative to safeguard shared human cultural heritage

Programme spotlights the achievements of Muslim astronomers and mathematicians, linking new generations to the roots of scientific renaissance

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has launched the “Contributions of Muslim Scholars” initiative in response to directives from His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, to highlight the civilisational role of Muslim scholars across the ages. The initiative aims to showcase the pioneering scientific contributions of Islamic civilisation and the role Muslim scholars played in laying the foundations of many modern sciences.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision of safeguarding shared human cultural heritage and extends the cultural message embodied by the Light & Peace Museum at the Centre, positioned as a platform that introduces the world to the depth of Islamic civilisation and its human values.

As part of the initiative, the Centre has rolled out an integrated programme of cultural events and activities, including an exhibition documenting Muslim scholars’ contributions, discussion sessions, a visual cultural series, and activities that enrich Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape. Through these programmes, the Mosque reinforces its role as a platform of knowledge and civilisation. The launch of the initiative was attended by His Excellency Dr. Omar Habtour Al Derei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat; His Excellency Dr. Sab’a Salem Al Kaabi, Secretary-General of the UAE Council for Fatwa; His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director-General of the National Library and Archives; His Excellency Emilio Benjumea Gutiérrez, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the UAE; His Excellency Kamal R. Vaswani, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the UAE; along with a number of specialists, enthusiasts, and school students. The event marked the inauguration of the initiative’s first theme, titled “Astronomy and Mathematics,” which spans three months and highlights the pioneering role of Muslim scholars in these fields, offering an enriching knowledge-based experience for visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds.

On the occasion, His Excellency Dr Yousif Alobaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, said: “The launch of the Contributions of Muslim Scholars initiative is in line with the wise vision of our leadership, and embodies the Centre’s commitment to its cultural and knowledge role in strengthening concepts of cultural identity and deepening awareness of the essence of Islamic culture and what it has offered in human and scientific contributions that played a pivotal role in building human civilisation. The initiative reflects the Centre’s keenness to highlight the bright image of Islamic culture and to introduce its openness and scientific depth in ways that enrich the experience of visitors from different cultures.” 

He added: “The initiative’s activities were designed to bring together knowledge content, innovative presentation methods and interactive experiences, in a way that strengthens civilisational communication, aligns with the UAE’s vision of safeguarding intellectual heritage and connecting generations with the elements of their Islamic culture and its values, and does so by re-reading Islamic scientific history as a renewed source of inspiration that stimulates research and innovation. It also affirms knowledge as a bridge for convergence between civilisations and a tool for building a more hopeful and future.”

“Contributions of Muslim Scholars” exhibition

The exhibition enables visitors to explore landmark scientific contributions by Muslim scholars in astronomy and mathematics through rare manuscripts and artefacts that serve as historical testimony to Islamic scientific heritage. It offers an interactive, multimedia-supported experience featuring notable items including: Nihayat al-Idrak fi Ma‘rifat al-Ajram al-Samawiyyah by Qutb al-Din al-Shirazi; Khulasah Wafiyah li-Utruhat fi ‘Ilm al-Falak wa al-Riyadiyyat by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi; an Arabic celestial globe from the Borgia Museum in Velletri; a qibla compass, “Da’irat al-Mu‘adil”, dated 1298 AH; and the “al-Rub‘ al-Mujib” instrument dated 1136 AH, among the oldest crafted by Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Battuti.

The Centre said the exhibition will continue to introduce new scientific themes in the coming periods to explore how Islamic culture helped pave the way for a scientific renaissance whose influence continues globally to this day.

Cultural discussion sessions

A cultural discussion session was held, highlighting multiple aspects of Islamic scientific heritage through presentations delivered by a select group of specialists and experts. Adnan Al-Rais — Assistant Director General, Space Operations and Exploration Sector, at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre — presented the first theme, “UAE Achievements in Astronomy and Space Sciences”. 

Professor Mashhoor Ahmad Salameh delivered the second presentation, titled “The Golden Age of Astronomy and Mathematics in Islamic Civilisation”. 

The session concluded with a third presentation by Professor Masoud Idris, Professor of Islamic History and Civilisation at the University of Sharjah and Director of the Sharjah International Foundation for the History of Sciences among Arabs and Muslims, titled: “Astronomy and Mathematics: A Bridge Between Civilisational Heritage and Modern Sciences”, drawing on Islamic manuscripts in astronomy and mathematics. The Centre will continue to organise cultural discussion sessions under the initiative, in support of its civilisational message.

Cultural series

In parallel with the launch of the initiative, the Centre released the first episode of the “Contributions of Muslim Scholars” series, produced for the occasion. The opening episode serves as an entry point, introducing the initiative and its civilisational messages and values, while highlighting its first phase focused on the contributions of Muslim scholars in astronomy and mathematics. The Centre will continue producing and publishing episodes to showcase the role of Islamic civilisation in advancing scientific knowledge across history, highlight the pioneering role Muslim scholars played in diverse scientific fields, and document their civilisational legacy in a contemporary, engaging format designed for all audiences.

The series is produced by highly skilled Emirati teams at the Centre, who have used artificial intelligence capabilities in design and production to ensure efficiency and quality, reflecting the core idea and civilisational messages of the episodes. This includes portraying a narrator character representing Emirati identity, alongside scenes that reflect the cultural and historical dimension of Islamic civilisation, blending the spirit of past and present through narrative storytelling.

A cultural platform for all

The exhibition’s location in the Dome of Peace offers visitors the opportunity to enrich their experience by visiting the Light & Peace Museum, which provides a comprehensive glimpse into Islamic civilisation and its intellectual and artistic output across the ages, through rare artefacts and interactive experiences that employ the latest technologies. The visitor journey is complemented by the 360-degree “Diya” experience, which uses sound and light to deliver an immersive and inspiring sensory encounter.

In this context, the Centre noted that the initiative’s exhibition extends its wider cultural efforts, as part of a programme of permanent and temporary exhibitions that reinforce the Mosque’s position as a global hub for cultural dialogue — including “Hajj: A Journey in Memory”, “Al-Andalus: History and Civilisation”, and “Islamic Coins: A History Unveiled”.

Visits to the “Contributions of Muslim Scholars” exhibition are available during the Mosque’s official visiting hours: Saturday to Thursday from 9:00am to 9:00pm; and Fridays from 9:00am to 12:00pm, and from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. The public can view the agenda of events and accompanying activities via the Centre’s website www.szgmc.gov.ae, and through its Instagram platform @szgmc_ae.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre launches the first episode of the Contributions of Muslim Scholars series

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has released the first episode of the “Contributions of Muslim Scholars” series, launched in conjunction with the Centre’s new initiative that celebrates the enduring civilizational role of Muslim scholars throughout history and highlights their pioneering scientific contributions that formed the foundation of many modern sciences. The initiative reflects the UAE vision of preserving human cultural heritage and aligns with the cultural mission embodied by the Centre’s "Noor and Salaam" Museum, which serves as a platform that introduces global audiences to the depth of Islamic civilization and its universal human values.

The inaugural episode serves as an introductory gateway that provides viewers with a clear overview of the initiative and its cultural and civilizational messages. It highlights the first phase of the series, which focuses on the contributions of Muslim scholars in the fields of astronomy and mathematics. The Centre will continue producing and releasing upcoming episodes, aiming to underscore the pivotal role of Islamic civilization in advancing scientific progress throughout history, while showcasing the achievements of Muslim scholars across various fields of knowledge and documenting this legacy through an engaging, contemporary format accessible to diverse audiences.

The Centre produced the series through its highly skilled national cadre, who leveraged their expertise in integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the design and production of the content, ensuring high quality and effectively conveying the series’ cultural messages. This includes the introduction of a narrator character representing the Emirati identity, as well as visual scenes that reflect the cultural and historical depth of Islamic civilization, blending elements of the past and present within a dynamic narrative style.

In conjunction with the initiative, the Centre also launched a comprehensive programme of cultural events and activities, including an exhibition held inside the “Dome of Peace” documenting the contributions of Muslim scholars, in addition to panel discussions, a visual cultural series, and activities that enrich the cultural landscape of Abu Dhabi.

The “Contributions of Muslim Scholars” Exhibition is open to visitors during the mosque’s official visiting hours. The public may follow updates on the initiative’s events and activities through the Centre’s official website: www.szgmc.gov.ae and on Instagram at @szgmc_ae.