Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Highlights Role as Global Cultural Landmark on World Tourism Day
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) in Abu Dhabi continues to reaffirm its position as one of the world’s leading cultural and religious landmarks, offering visitors a unique blend of Islamic architectural beauty, rich cultural content, and diverse services that cater to global audiences.
The occasion of World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on 27th September, underscores the importance of tourism in driving sustainable development and fostering intercultural understanding. In this regard, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has become a vital destination for dignitaries and tourists alike, welcoming nearly 7 million visitors each year, of which 82 percent are international guests.
Marking the occasion, Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the SZGMC, emphasized the mosque’s role as a model of sustainable cultural tourism in the UAE. “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,” he said.
In the first half of 2025, the mosque welcomed over 4.3 million guests—a 5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This growth has also extended the average visitor stay from two to four hours, attributed to the variety of cultural and educational programs such as the “Sura” experience, offering 24-hour guided tours tailored for transit travelers, and the “Guide” device, which provides virtual tours in 14 languages with accessibility features for people of determination.
The Centre conducts more than 5,400 cultural tours annually in multiple languages, including Arabic, English, French, Russian, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, in addition to sign language tours led by qualified Emirati professionals. Other innovative experiences, such as the “Hidden Gems of the Mosque” tours on electric vehicles, further enrich the visitor journey.
The “Peace Dome,” home to the Noor & Salam Museum, remains a cornerstone of the Centre’s cultural outreach. The museum houses rare artifacts, including the Kaaba’s belt, the Blue Quran, and the Andalusian astrolabe, while offering immersive experiences such as the “Diya Interactive Experience,” which combines art, technology, and Emirati values through 360-degree projections, sound, and tactile effects. The Peace Dome also hosts a specialized library, cultural theater, exhibitions, and the mosque market, which caters to all visitors.
The mosque’s global standing is reflected in its inclusion on the TripAdvisor 2025 list of the world’s top landmarks, ranking eighth worldwide and first in the Middle East. Additionally, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, managed by the Centre, entered the top 10 percent of global landmarks for the first time, according to international traveler reviews.
By offering comprehensive cultural and spiritual experiences, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continues to reinforce its role as a global platform for dialogue, tolerance, and intercultural understanding.
