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ABU DHABI/WAM
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi received 4,379,258 worshippers and visitors in the first half of this year, a 31 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
This number included 1,765,698 worshippers and fasting individuals and 2,584,425 visitors, while the number of users of the jogging track reached 29,135.
The number of worshippers who attended Friday prayers at the mosque reached 149,666, with 348,573 performing daily prayers and 617,458 worshippers attending prayers during Ramadan and the two Eids.
On the 27th of Ramadan, 1445 AH (5th of April), the mosque saw the highest number of worshippers in its history, with 87,186 attending, including 70,680 who observed the 27th night of Ramadan.
As part of the “Our Fasting Guests” project, the Centre prepared 2,150,000 iftar meals, 650,001 of which were served within the mosque and 1.5 million meals distributed to labor cities in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, 30,000 suhoor meals were distributed during the last ten days of Ramadan.
The Centre strengthened its position on the global cultural tourism map, with 81 percent of visitors coming from outside the UAE and 19 percent being residents. Asia topped the list of visitors by continent at 52 percent, followed by Europe at 34 percent, North America at 7 percent, Africa and South America at 3 percent each, and Australia at 1 percent.
India ranked first with 22 percent of total visitors, followed by China at 11 percent, Russia at 8 percent, Germany and the USA at 4 percent each, France, Italy, the UK, and Pakistan at 3 percent each, and the Philippines at 2 percent. The second day of Eid Al-Fitr saw the highest number of visitors, with 32,722.
The cultural tour specialists at the Centre conducted 2,958 tours attended by 41,957 visitors from around the world. The first half of the year saw 823 bookings for official delegations, with 13,655 participants. The mosque welcomed 170 high-level delegations, including visits from 3 heads of state, one vice president, 4 prime ministers, 2 parliamentary speakers, and 35 ministers.
All participants in the cultural tours were introduced to the mosque’s message of tolerance and cultural communication, the unique Islamic architecture, and the world-class experiences and services offered.
The Centre has introduced several experiences that contributed to the increase in visitors, such as the “Unseen Glimpse of the Mosque” tours, which offer cultural tours in club cars showcasing exclusive details of the mosque. The night cultural tours (Sura) for visitors, available outside official working hours, were designed to allow visitors to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the country, especially those on transit flights, to visit the mosque.
Visitors also benefit from the “El-Delleel” service, a multimedia device offering virtual cultural tours in 14 global languages, enabling 24-hour mosque visits. Additionally, “Souq Al-Jami’” provides a diverse experience with over 50 commercial units, including restaurants, shops, kiosks, and entertainment areas, catering to the needs of family members of all ages. Children can enjoy activities at Fun Block and the Kingdom Martial Arts Academy.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has been recognised as one of the top cultural and historical landmarks globally as a result of its various initiatives and projects.
According to a report by TripAdvisor, the mosque has achieved high rankings in several categories. In the “Top Attractions” category, it was ranked first in the Middle East. In the “Top Experiences” category, it secured the second position in the Middle East for the “Dubai to Abu Dhabi Tour” experience, which includes visits to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Qasr Al Watan, and Etihad Towers. Additionally, in the “Cultural and Historical Experiences” category, the mosque was ranked third globally.