News

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre names winners of inaugural Dhay photography contest

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has announced the winners of the first edition of the Dhay Photography Competition, held under the theme “Reflection”.

The results were revealed on the Centre’s digital platforms. Adarsh Kuruvath of the Republic of India took first place, followed by Alisha Bamrel Sarki of the Republic of Nepal in second. Riyas Kulangarakath, also of the Republic of India, secured third place.

A rich cultural output

From 1 November to 3 December 2025, the competition attracted more than 700 photographers from around the world, who submitted 971 photographs. The inaugural edition centred on the theme of “Reflection”, offering participants a platform to explore the concept across its many forms and settings. Entrants drew on reflective surfaces — including water, glass, marble, metals, mirrors, and more — to present visually compelling works marked by aesthetic refinement and human depth.

Dhay returns for its second edition during the holy month of Ramadan

The Centre will launch the second edition of the “Dhay” Photography Competition during the holy month of Ramadan, with a focus on the atmosphere and spirit of the blessed month. Further details will be announced in due course. Interested participants can follow updates on the award’s account: @spacesoflight.

Spaces of Light Award: global leadership in photography

The “Dhay” Photography Competition is positioned as an artistic extension of the Spaces of Light Photography Award, reflecting the Centre’s belief in photography as a shared, universal language. Across eight editions since its launch in 2010, the award has drawn more than 12,300 photographers from over 70 countries, who have submitted nearly 30,000 works. 

H.E. the Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s Statement on Martyrs’ Day

Martyrs’ Day stands as a profound national occasion in which we honor the heroic sacrifices of our sons and their families, individuals who have etched unparalleled stories of loyalty and devotion, affirming that love for the homeland is beyond measure. On this solemn and noble day, we proudly draw inspiration from their enduring legacy, which reflects the highest ideals of courage, selflessness, and dedication in safeguarding the security and stability of our beloved nation. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting the UAE’s achievements and to continuing the journey of building, progress, and service across all fields, ensuring that our nation continues to ascend to ever-greater heights.

H.E. Dr. Yousif Alobaidli
Director-General, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre

Prime Minister of Canada Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi, accompanied by His Excellency Abdulrahman Ali Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Canada, and His Excellency Radha Krishna Pandey, Canada’s Ambassador to the UAE, along with the accompanying delegation.

The delegation toured the mosque’s halls and external corridors, accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. His Excellency Dr. Al Obaidli outlined the history of the mosque’s establishment and its cultural mission, grounded in the values of coexistence, tolerance, and openness—principles inspired by the legacy of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He also highlighted the Centre’s role in presenting the essence of moderate Islamic culture and strengthening avenues of cultural engagement worldwide.

Cultural Tour Specialist Aisha Mubarak provided an in-depth explanation of the mosque’s artistic and architectural features, highlighting refined expressions of Islamic civilisation across centuries—traditions that, despite their diversity, come together in the mosque’s design to embody harmony and unity in a single creative form.

The Prime Minister and the delegation also visited the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reflecting on his enduring legacy and the far-reaching vision that laid the foundations for a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and peace.

On the sidelines of the visit, His Excellency remarked:
“What an extraordinary privilege to receive such an expert demonstration and guide to an absolutely extraordinary monument… apart from the sheer beauty and the inspiration that it provides, it unifies in so many different ways… it is truly humbling, inspiring for me to see… and a testament to Sheikh Zayed, a testament to the Emirati people to have conceived, created, built, and shared this with humanity… “

At the conclusion of the visit, the  guest a commemorative gift reflecting the mosque’s artistic identity, a compass inspired by the design of its chandeliers, and a copy of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace, which showcases the mosque’s distinctive architectural character through a photographic journey featuring award-winning images from the “Spaces of Light” Photography Award.

Prime Minister of Tuvalu Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Feleti Penitala Teo, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Tausaga Teo; His Excellency Dr. Tauisi Menit Taubo, Ambassador of Tuvalu to the UAE; and the accompanying delegation.

His Excellency and the delegation toured the mosque’s halls and external arcades, accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, who briefed them on the history of the mosque’s establishment and its civilisational message promoting coexistence, tolerance, and openness — values inspired by the noble legacy of the Founding Father. He also highlighted the Centre’s prominent role in presenting the principles of the Islamic culture and fostering cultural exchange among nations worldwide.

Hashar Al Zaabi, Cultural Tours Specialist at the Centre, provided His Excellency and the delegation with an in-depth explanation of the mosque’s aesthetic features and the remarkable Islamic architectural artistry evident throughout its design. He outlined how diverse artistic and engineering traditions from across the Islamic world harmoniously converge in the mosque’s architecture, reflecting the beauty of cultural unity in a single creative masterpiece.

The delegation also visited the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may he rest in peace,” reflecting on his wise legacy and the values he instilled — values that continue to uphold the principles of tolerance, coexistence, and peace among peoples worldwide.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Prime Minister was presented with a commemorative gift reflecting the beauty of the mosque, along with a compass inspired by the design of its chandeliers, and a copy of the book “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque:  Lights of Peace,” which showcases the mosque’s distinctive architectural artistry and takes readers on a visual journey through a collection of award-winning photographs from the “Spaces of Light” competition.

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

His Excellency Ratu Naivama Lalabalavu, President of the Republic of Fiji, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, accompanied by His Excellency Sainaila Lagai, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji to the UAE, and the accompanying delegation.

His Excellency and the delegation toured the mosque’s halls and external arcades, accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, who briefed them on the history of the mosque’s establishment and its civilisational message promoting coexistence, tolerance, and openness — values inspired by the noble legacy of the Founding Father. He also highlighted the significant role of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in presenting the principles of the Islamic culture and enhancing cultural communication among nations around the world.

Hamad Al Baloushi, Cultural Tours Specialist at the Centre, provided His Excellency and the delegation with a detailed explanation of the mosque’s aesthetic features and the outstanding Islamic architectural artistry evident throughout its design. He highlighted how diverse artistic and engineering traditions from across the Islamic world, despite their differences, harmoniously converge in the mosque’s architecture, reflecting the beauty of cultural unity in a single creative masterpiece.

At the conclusion of the visit, the President was presented with a commemorative gift reflecting the beauty of the mosque, along with a compass whose design is inspired by its chandeliers, and a copy of the book “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace,” which showcases the mosque’s unique architectural artistry and takes readers on a visual journey through a collection of award-winning photographs from the “Spaces of Light” competition.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Organises a Series of Cultural Workshops for School Students in Collaboration with the Ministry of Education

As part of its commitment to providing an interactive environment that nurtures creative thinking among young generations, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) organised two cultural workshops at Al Jami’ Library, with the participation of 45 students from schools across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The workshops form part of a series of seven cultural sessions hosted by the Centre throughout September and October 2025.

An Initiative Aligned with the Centre’s Cultural Vision

This initiative reflects the Centre’s vision to host and organise educational and interactive activities targeting diverse age groups, enriching the intellectual and cultural awareness of youth, and encouraging students to become part of the cultural scene of Al Jami’ Library.

The workshops come under the umbrella of the “Al Shabab Al Bani” programme, which encompasses the Centre’s initiatives and activities dedicated to nurturing Emirati youth.
The programme aims to invest in the potential of the younger generation and refine their intellectual and creative skills through innovative and interactive programmes that help build their capacities and broaden their cultural and cognitive horizons.

Workshops Exploring Cultural Themes and Modern Technologies

The workshops began with an introductory tour of Al Jami’ Library, during which students explored its sections, collections, and the knowledge resources it offers to researchers and enthusiasts.
The sessions addressed a range of cultural and artistic themes, including the aesthetics, ornamentation, and history of mosque architecture, along with a practical workshop on employing artificial intelligence in story creation.

Students took part in a hands-on exercise writing a story about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque that reflected its history, cultural and humanitarian messages, and distinctive architectural beauty.

The cultural workshops also included tours of the Light & Peace Museum and the Diya – A Universe of Light immersive experience, where students explored artefacts and exhibits that highlight the richness of Islamic civilisation and its continuous dialogue with cultures around the world.

Al Jami’ Library: A Gateway to Knowledge and Culture

Al Jami’ Library stands as a leading knowledge hub, housing more than 8,000 rare and specialised books and periodicals in 14 languages, together with 31 publications issued by the Centre in the fields of Arab and Islamic culture.
Since its establishment in 2010, the library has continued to play a pivotal role in enhancing the UAE’s cultural landscape and promoting the contributions of Islamic civilisation to science and the arts.
Through its valuable manuscripts and rare collections, the library continues to serve as a bridge of cultural exchange between nations and civilisations.

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

His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, and the accompanying delegation visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

His Excellency and his delegation toured the mosque’s halls and outer arcades, where they were introduced to the history of its establishment and its civilisational message of coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others — values inspired by the noble legacy of the Founding Father. They also learned about the pivotal role of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in presenting the essence of Islamic culture and fostering cultural communication among peoples and nations around the world.

Mohamed Al Shamsi, Cultural Tour Specialist at the Centre, gave His Excellency and the delegation a detailed explanation of the mosque’s architectural beauty and the splendour of Islamic art reflected in its design. He highlighted how the mosque brings together a variety of artistic and architectural styles that harmoniously converge in one creative expression, symbolising the beauty of unity in diversity.

The President and his delegation also visited the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, recalling his legacy and wise vision that laid the foundations for a culture of tolerance, coexistence, and peace among nations.

On the sidelines of the visit, His Excellency remarked:

"Well thank you for this incredible opportunity to visit this mosque, and I think most importantly the message that this mosque is a symbol of tolerance and people coming together. Today has been really an amazing experience .”

At the end of the visit, His Excellency was presented with a commemorative gift reflecting the mosque’s artistic elegance — a compass inspired by the design of its chandeliers — together with a copy of “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A Lights of Peace”, which highlights the mosque’s architectural brilliance and offers a visual journey through a selection of award-winning photographs from the “Spaces of Light” competition.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Yemen Performs Friday Prayer at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

His Excellency Salem Saleh Bin Buraik, Prime Minister of the Republic of Yemen, performed the Friday prayer at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque alongside worshippers from various nationalities. His Excellency was accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Obaidli, Director General of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center, who briefed him following the prayer on the mosque’s civilizational message that promotes coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others—values inspired by the legacy of the late Founding Father.

During the visit, His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were introduced to the history of the mosque’s establishment, its architectural aesthetics, and the exquisite Islamic art that adorns its spaces. They explored the harmonious blend of diverse Islamic architectural styles that reflect the beauty of cultural convergence in a single creative masterpiece.

At the conclusion of the visit, the guest was presented with a copy of the book Houses of God from Al-Kairouan Mosque to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which highlights the history of mosques in Islamic civilization, including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

 

Australian PM visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – Abu Dhabi

His Excellency Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi alongside his partner Jodie Haydon. They were accompanied by His Excellency Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, UAE Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Ridwan Joudat, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, and senior members of the Australian delegation.

During the visit, His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, who led them through the mosque’s expansive halls and courtyards. His Excellency outlined the history of the mosque’s establishment and its role as a cultural landmark embodying the values of coexistence, tolerance, and openness—principles rooted in the vision of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, while also emphasizing the Centre’s mission to convey the essence of Islamic culture and to promote dialogue among nations and peoples.

Cultural tour specialist Rawda Al Marzouqi provided a detailed overview of the mosque’s artistic and architectural splendour, illustrating how Islamic civilisations across the centuries contributed to its design. The mosque, he explained, unites diverse traditions in a single architectural statement, reflecting the harmony and creativity of cultural exchange.

His Excellency the Prime Minister and his delegation also visited the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed, recalling his wisdom and vision of peace that continue to shape the UAE’s culture of tolerance and coexistence.

The guest was presented with a commemorative gift reflecting the mosque’s artistic beauty—a compass inspired by the design of its chandeliers—along with a copy of “Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque:  Lights of Peace”, a publication that showcases the mosque’s distinctive architectural style and takes readers on a visual journey through its artistic and engineering splendour, featuring award-winning photographs from the “Spaces of Light” competition.

 

On the Occasion of World Tourism Day Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Strengthens Its Position on the Map of Sustainable Cultural Tourism

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi continues to solidify its status as one of the most prominent cultural and religious landmarks, offering a comprehensive tourism experience that blends the aesthetics of Islamic architecture with rich cultural content and a wide range of services that cater to the aspirations of visitors from around the world.

World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on September 27, highlighting the vital role of the tourism sector in promoting sustainable development and fostering intercultural understanding. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has become a key destination for dignitaries and tourists globally, serving as a meeting point for diverse cultures. The mosque welcomes nearly 7 million guests annually, with international visitors accounting for 82% of the total.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, affirmed the mosque’s role as a distinguished model of sustainable cultural tourism in the UAE, stating:

“At the Centre, we are committed to offering a holistic cultural experience that combines the beauty of Islamic architecture with rich cultural content, while considering environmental, social, and cultural dimensions in alignment with the UAE’s vision for sustainable tourism. We also strive to raise awareness of Islamic heritage and present it in a contemporary manner that resonates with diverse audiences. The mosque’s global achievements year after year reflect its success in harmonizing authenticity with innovation.”

Diverse Services Enrich the Visitor Experience

In the first half of this year, the mosque welcomed 4,346,831 guests, marking a 5% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth contributed to an increase in the average visitor stay from two to four hours. The rise is attributed to the variety of cultural and educational experiences offered by the Centre, most notably the “Sura” experience, which provides 24-hour guided tours tailored for transit travelers or those unable to visit during regular hours. Additionally, the “Guide” device offers virtual tours in 14 languages using virtual reality technology, with accessibility features for people of determination, including the visually and hearing impaired, to convey the mosque’s message of tolerance. The “Hidden Gems of the Mosque” tours allow visitors to explore architectural and cultural details via specially equipped electric vehicles.

A Multilingual Cultural Experience

The Centre enriches the visitor journey through over 5,400 cultural tours annually, delivered in multiple languages including Arabic, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and others. Sign language tours are also available, conducted by qualified Emirati professionals who reflect the UAE’s cultural identity.

Peace Dome: A Global Hub for Cultural Dialogue

The Centre continues to reinforce its role as a global platform for cultural dialogue through the “Peace Dome,” home to the unique “Noor & Salam” Museum. The museum features interactive exhibits that simulate the ambiance of the three holy mosques and showcases rare artifacts such as the Kaaba’s belt, the Blue Quran, and the Andalusian astrolabe. It offers diverse cultural content for various audiences—from researchers and art and science enthusiasts to children, who have a dedicated section.

The museum also includes the “Diya Interactive Experience,” an immersive journey that blends art and technology, inspired by the authentic values of Emirati culture. This experience adds a distinctive dimension to the Centre’s cultural offerings, presented through a multi-sensory narrative using 360-degree circular projection, transporting visitors through captivating light, sound, and tactile effects that simulate natural elements like wind and light.

The “Peace Dome” also houses the mosque’s specialized library, cultural theater, permanent and temporary exhibitions, and the mosque’s market, which includes restaurants and shops catering to all age groups, as well as the “Mosque Letters” mural.

Global Recognition in Tourism Rankings

The mosque holds a prestigious position on the global tourism map. This year, it ranked eighth on the “TripAdvisor 2025” list of the world’s top landmarks, advancing two places from its 2024 ranking, while maintaining its first-place position in the Middle East.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, managed by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, is one of the emirate’s most prominent landmarks and a unique cultural and tourist destination. For the first time, it was ranked among the top 10% of global landmarks, based on traveler reviews from around the world.

The mosque welcomes guests from all cultures and backgrounds daily, offering guided cultural tours in Arabic and English. These tours highlight the mosque’s role in fostering intercultural dialogue and showcase the finest details of Islamic architecture and art.