Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre experienced a 127% increase in visitors during the first half of 2023. It drew a total of 3,334,757 people.
Of these visitors, 914,195 were worshippers, and 2,388,437 were tourists. Among the tourists, 1,684,409 visited the mosque, while 704,028 explored the mosque’s visitor centre and market. Additionally, the mosque’s jogging track saw 32,125 visitors during the first half of 2023.
Moreover, domestic visitors accounted for 19% of the total, while international visitors made up 81%. It shows the mosque’s status as a top global tourist attraction.
Furthermore, the mosque ranked first in the region and fourth globally in TripAdvisor’s ‘Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022. It also secured ninth place in the “Top Cultural & Historical Tours” category.
During the first half of the year, 648 official delegation bookings were recorded, with 10,979 individuals visiting the mosque. The guests included 10 heads of state, three deputy heads of state, two prime ministers, six parliament heads, 36 ministers, four deputy ministers, 19 ambassadors, and consuls-general, along with 87 official foreign delegations.
Cultural tours played a vital role in promoting the mosque’s message of tolerance, with 2,637 cultural tours attracting 37,402 visitors from around the world.
The mosque further showcased Islamic culture and local heritage through various religious and cultural programs, which drew more than 1,365 visitors during H1 2023, including the Jusoor program.
Record Breaking Attendance
On April 21, the mosque reached a milestone with a record breaking 63,919 individuals performing prayers on a single day. Friday prayers also saw high attendance on June 30, with 12,176 worshippers.
The second day of Eid Al Fitr, falling on April 22, witnessed the highest number of visitors at 33,682 individuals, while the lowest daily visitor count was recorded on June 21, with 5,410 visitors.
The top countries of origin for visitors were India (393,566), Russia (130,023), China (99,277), the US (92,364), Germany (76,857), Italy (61,330), France (53,996), Israel (53,974), Pakistan (47,640), and the UK (45,790).
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the mosque experienced an unprecedented influx of 852,714 worshippers and tourists combined. Of these, 452,047 individuals performed prayers, including 122,449 for evening and Taraweeh prayers, and 180,896 for Tahajjud prayers.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continues to make a lasting impact by spreading its message of tolerance and cultural appreciation through exceptional offerings and warm hospitality to visitors from all corners of the globe.
