Sheikh : Zayed Grand Mosque Sets New Visitor Record in 2025
Sheikh : Zayed Grand Mosque Centre closed 2025 with its strongest year on record, welcoming 6,846,723 guests and marking a four percent rise compared with 2024. The milestone reflects sustained growth in worship, tourism, and cultural engagement at one of the UAE’s most recognisable landmarks.
Growth in Worship Attendance
A total of 1,531,192 worshippers prayed at the mosque during the year. This figure included 257,859 attendees at Friday prayers, 697,961 daily prayer participants, and 575,372 worshippers who visited during Ramadan and the two Eids. The numbers underline the mosque’s central role as a place of worship alongside its cultural and architectural significance.
Visitors, Iftar Guests, and Public Spaces
Beyond prayer services, the Centre hosted 4,331,046 visitors in 2025. Iftar gatherings attracted 898,767 guests, while 85,718 people used the Mosque Promenade, highlighting steady engagement with the surrounding public spaces and amenities.
International and Regional Visitor Profile
International guests accounted for 82 percent of total visitors, with UAE residents making up the remaining 18 percent. Asia led by region with 49 percent of visitors, followed by Europe at 33 percent and North America at 11 percent. Africa and South America each represented three percent, while Australia contributed one percent.
Nationalities Most Represented
By nationality, visitors from India formed the largest group at 20 percent. China followed with nine percent, while Russia and the United States shared third place at eight percent each. Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy each accounted for three percent, with the Philippines and Pakistan at two percent apiece.
Cultural Tours and Official Delegations
The Centre delivered 4,031 guided cultural tours, attended by 55,730 guests. It also received 21,988 participants through official delegations, supported by 1,564 formal bookings. High-level visits included heads of state, prime ministers, ministers, ambassadors, religious representatives, and military delegations, reflecting the mosque’s diplomatic and cultural standing.
Ramadan and Eid Activity
During Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, total attendance reached 1,890,144 worshippers and visitors. Over the same period, 594,236 people performed prayers, including Taraweeh, Tahajjud, and Eid prayers. Visitor numbers during the Eid Al Fitr holiday alone reached 64,959, contributing to a ten percent increase compared with the previous Hijri year.
Community Support and Iftar Initiatives
Through the Our Fasting Guests initiative, the Centre distributed more than 2.6 million iftar and suhoor meals in partnership with the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation and Erth Hotel. Meals were provided at mosques, labour accommodations, and locations across Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the Centre’s social outreach during the holy month.
Cultural Programming and Knowledge Projects
Throughout 2025, the Centre expanded cultural offerings through exhibitions, workshops, and educational programmes involving schools and students. It published 330 episodes across 12 knowledge series and released new audio and translated publications to broaden access to Islamic cultural content. The Hijri calendar project also continued with enriched scholarly and astronomical material.
Performance of Affiliated Mosques
Visitor growth extended to affiliated mosques across the UAE. Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain welcomed 1,032,320 guests, nearly doubling its 2024 figure. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah received 660,110 guests, while worship attendance in Ras Al Khaimah reached 147,348, marking notable year-on-year increases.
Global Recognition and Rankings
The Centre’s international reputation was reinforced by strong rankings on Tripadvisor. The mosque placed eighth globally among the top 25 destinations worldwide, moving up two positions from the previous year, and retained first place in the Middle East’s top landmark listings.