Israeli Visitors Outnumber Pakistani Guests at Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) has observed a notable surge in visitor numbers, particularly in the first half of 2023. The mosque welcomed over 3.3 million visitors during this period, marking a 127 percent rise compared to the previous year. Among these visitors, there were approximately 914,195 worshippers and 2,388,437 tourists.

Notably, the mosque attracted around 54,000 Israeli guests, surpassing the roughly 47,500 Pakistani visitors. It is important to highlight that a significant majority, 81 percent, of the visitors came from countries outside of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The SZGMC, renowned for its stunning architecture and religious significance, serves as a popular tourist destination drawing visitors from various parts of the world. Alongside its religious significance, the mosque offers amenities such as a running track, which was utilized by over 32,000 individuals during the first half of the year. Additionally, the mosque’s library received 1,104 visitors, while 757,026 cars transported visitors to the site.

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The Grand Mosque’s excellence has earned it international recognition, ranking first in the region and fourth in the “Top Attractions” category of TripAdvisor’s “Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2022: the Best of the Best Destinations.”

It also secured eighth place globally in the “Top Cultural and Historical Tours” classification. Moreover, the mosque has become a popular destination for government delegations, hosting 648 bookings and accommodating 10,979 individuals in the first half of the year.

These delegations included high-ranking officials such as heads of state, prime ministers, and parliament members. Cultural tours organized at the mosque play a crucial role in promoting the message of tolerance based on Islamic principles, with experts leading 2,637 cultural trips and attracting 37,402 international visitors. The top countries of origin for mosque visitors include India, Russia, China, the United States (US), Germany, Italy, France, Israel, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom (UK).

Here is a list of the top ten countries of origin for visitors: