Nearly Four in Five Visitors Came From Overseas
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi welcomed more than 3.12 million guests in the first half of 2026, reinforcing its position as one of the UAE's most prominent religious and cultural landmarks. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre said 3,127,607 people visited or used the mosque and its facilities during the six-month period. The total included 1,841,305 worshippers and people attending iftar, 1,241,808 visitors of different nationalities, and 44,494 users of the centre's sports walkway.
International visitors accounted for 78 percent of all guests, reflecting the mosque's growing prominence on the global cultural tourism map. Visitors from Asia made up the largest share at 52 percent, followed by Europe at 31 percent and North America at 10 percent, while Africa and South America each accounted for 3 percent and Australia represented 1 percent. India was the largest single source market at 21 percent, followed by China at 10 percent, Russia at 8 percent, the United States at 7 percent and Germany at 4 percent, with the Philippines, the United Kingdom, France, Poland and Pakistan each accounting for 3 percent.
Ramadan Drew Record Crowds and Meal Distribution
Friday prayers drew 98,469 worshippers over the period, while 229,139 attended daily prayers, and a further 533,687 people prayed at the mosque during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr. Attendance peaked on the 27th night of Ramadan, when 53,902 worshippers gathered at the mosque, including 8,056 who performed Taraweeh prayers and 45,846 who attended Tahajjud prayers. The centre also recorded its highest-ever distribution of Ramadan meals under its "Our Fasting Guests" project, handing out 2,605,810 iftar meals across mosques it manages or supervises, including 980,010 at the Abu Dhabi mosque itself.
Cultural specialists at the centre conducted 1,016 guided tours during the half-year and handled 403 bookings for official delegations, including heads of state, senior officials and diplomats. The centre also launched more than 10 cultural and educational initiatives over the period, among them a manuscripts exhibition with UAE University, participation in the Kazan Forum 2026, and new seasons of its "Diya" photography competition, alongside the continued draw of its Light and Peace Museum and immersive "A World of Light" experience.
