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.