In the first six months of 2024, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi has hosted an impressive 4,379,258 worshippers and visitors, marking a 31% increase from the previous year’s figures.
Among this total, 1,765,698 were worshippers and those observing fasting, while 2,584,425 were visitors exploring the mosque. Additionally, the mosque’s jogging track attracted 29,135 users.
On Fridays, the mosque saw 149,666 attendees for prayers, with a total of 348,573 individuals participating in daily prayers. During Ramadan and the two Eids, 617,458 worshippers attended the mosque for prayers. The peak attendance occurred on April 5, 2024 (27th of Ramadan), when the mosque welcomed 87,186 worshippers, including 70,680 observing the 27th night of Ramadan.
As part of its “Our Fasting Guests” initiative, the Centre distributed 2,150,000 iftar meals during Ramadan. Of these, 650,001 were served within the mosque, while 1.5 million were delivered to labor communities in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, 30,000 suhoor meals were provided during the last ten days of Ramadan.
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The Centre has solidified its global cultural tourism standing, with 81% of visitors coming from abroad and 19% being local residents. Asia led the visitor demographics with 52%, followed by Europe at 34%, North America at 7%, Africa and South America at 3% each, and Australia at 1%.
India topped the list of visitor countries with 22%, followed by China at 11%, Russia at 8%, Germany and the USA at 4% each, and France, Italy, the UK, and Pakistan at 3% each. The Philippines contributed 2% to the visitor count. The second day of Eid Al-Fitr saw the highest visitor turnout, totaling 32,722.
The Centre’s cultural tour specialists conducted 2,958 tours, attracting 41,957 international visitors. The first half of 2024 saw 823 bookings for official delegations, with 13,655 participants. The mosque hosted 170 high-profile delegations, including visits from 3 heads of state, a vice president, 4 prime ministers, 2 parliamentary speakers, and 35 ministers.
The cultural tours provided guests with insights into the mosque’s message of tolerance, its unique Islamic architecture, and the exceptional experiences and services offered. New experiences, such as the “Unseen Glimpse of the Mosque” tours and night tours (Sura), have enhanced visitor engagement. The “El-Delleel” multimedia service offers virtual tours in 14 languages, available around the clock. Meanwhile, “Souq Al-Jami’” features over 50 commercial outlets, including restaurants, shops, kiosks, and entertainment areas, with family-friendly activities and a special zone for children.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has garnered global recognition for its cultural and historical significance. According to TripAdvisor, it ranks first in the Middle East in the “Top Attractions” category, second in the “Top Experiences” category for the “Dubai to Abu Dhabi Tour” experience, and third globally in the “Cultural and Historical Experiences” category.
