Highlights
- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi has received over 3.3 million visitors in the first half of 2023, marking a 127 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
- The visitors consisted of 914,195 worshippers and 2,388,437 tourists, with 1,684,409 visiting the mosque itself and 704,028 visiting the visitor centre and market.
- Domestic visitors accounted for 19 percent of the total, while international visitors made up 81 percent, emphasizing the mosque’s status as a top global tourist attraction.
- The mosque’s cultural tours, aimed at promoting tolerance and Islamic teachings, attracted 37,402 visitors through 2,637 tours conducted by cultural specialists.
- India ranked first among visitors’ countries of origin, followed by Russia, China, the US, and Germany.
- The mosque achieved recognition by securing the first position in the region and fourth place globally in TripAdvisor’s ‘Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022: The Best of the Best Destinations’ list.
- Official delegations, including heads of state, prime ministers, and ambassadors, visited the mosque, with a total of 648 bookings and 10,979 individuals.
- The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre continues to play a significant cultural role in showcasing Islamic heritage and attracting visitors from around the world.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) in Abu Dhabi has achieved a remarkable milestone by welcoming over 3.3 million visitors in the first half of 2023. This represents a significant increase of 127 percent compared to the same period last year.
Among the visitors, there were 914,195 worshippers and 2,388,437 tourists. The mosque itself received 1,684,409 visitors, while the visitor centre and market attracted 704,028 visitors. Additionally, the mosque’s jogging track saw 32,125 individuals during the first half of the year.
International visitors accounted for 81 percent of the total, highlighting the mosque’s status as a top global tourist attraction. Domestic visitors made up the remaining 19 percent.
The SZGMC has consistently achieved recognition for its cultural and historical significance. It secured the first position in the region and fourth place in the “Top Attractions” category of TripAdvisor’s ‘Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022: The Best of the Best Destinations’ list. Furthermore, it ranked ninth globally in the “Top Cultural & Historical Tours” subcategory.
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The mosque’s cultural tours, aimed at promoting tolerance and the true teachings of Islam, attracted 37,402 visitors from around the world through 2,637 tours conducted by cultural specialists. Additionally, various religious and cultural programs offered by the mosque drew more than 1,365 visitors during the first half of 2023.
The impressive numbers also include official delegations, with 648 bookings comprising 10,979 individuals. Notably, the mosque hosted 167 high-level delegations, including visits from heads of state, deputy heads of state, prime ministers, parliament heads, ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors, consuls-general, and other official foreign delegations.
India emerged as the top country of origin for visitors, with 393,566 tourists, followed by Russia, China, the US, Germany, Italy, France, Israel, Pakistan, and the UK.
The SZGMC continues to play a vital cultural role, showcasing Islamic heritage and attracting millions of visitors who appreciate its architectural beauty and cultural significance.
