ABU DHABI, July 29, 2022 (WAM) — The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi received 1,520,697 visitors, including 454,339 worshipers and approximately 1,033,045 visitors in the first half of 2022.

Around 19% of visitors are from the UAE, and 81% are tourists. To elaborate, 51% of visitors are male, 49% female, and the majority are aged between 25 and 35, which makes up 32% of the total visitors flocking to mosques globally. The majority came from India, followed by France and the United States.

During the first half of this year, the number of users of the mosque’s jogging track reached more than 33,000.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) has been able to convey the message of the mosque’s culture of tolerance, which emanates from the da’wah of Islam, through the free cultural tours it offers to its visitors. The Center’s cultural tour specialists offer 2,075 tours in Arabic, English, Spanish and Korean, with 21,633 visitors from around the world participating.

Over the past few years, the Center has followed the UAE’s steady progress in various areas, which is manifested in the continuous increase in its visitor numbers, which is accompanied by a constant improvement in the experience. they.

This mosque has made great achievements, maintaining its leading position as an iconic global cultural destination. The Grand Mosque was recently selected as one of TripAdvisor’s 2022 “Travelers’ Choice Awards” in the “Best of the Best” category, ranking among the top 25 attractions in the world.

The Grand Mosque was ranked first in the “Top Attractions – Middle East” category, fourth in the “Top Attractions – World” category for its unique artistic and architectural splendor, and ninth in the “Top Cultural and Historical Tours – World”, for outstanding experiences and services. rich and versatile it offers that caters to the needs of visitors, enabling them to spend the whole day in the mosque and enjoy what it has to offer.

Visitors from all walks of life recognized the mosque’s leading position as a global cultural and tourist destination and praised its integrated work system. Mosque visitors, through their reviews on Trip Advisor, praised the integrated package of services and facilities they enjoyed during their visit.

In his comments, a visitor from the United States said: “The architectural design and aesthetics of the mosque are stunning, and the flow of tourists is perfectly managed, from the arrival of visitors in the parking lot to arriving at the mosque in golf carts scattered throughout the course. Photo stops are provided. for visitors to stop and take photos at the mosque to ensure a smooth flow of visitors, and golf carts are available to take you back to the ‘Souq Al Jami’ shopping center and car park at the end of the tour.”.

Another visitor from the UK said: “The Grand Mosque is amazing. We enjoyed our tour with one of the cultural tourism specialists, it was one of the most amazing experiences at the mosque. I have done many sightseeing and cultural tours to various sites around the world but the tour given to us by the mosque specialist was the best of all, and I was very impressed with the level of skill and passion he showed during the visit.”

While a visitor from Russia commented, “This grand mosque is a great structure, embodying the values ​​of tolerance and spirituality. It allows you to experience Islamic culture like you’ve never experienced before.”

Visitors to the mosque enjoy a variety of unique experiences through programs, activities and initiatives that focus on Islamic culture, science and the arts.

SZGMC continuously strives to improve its facilities to meet the needs of visitors and enable them to spend a full day at its location and enjoy what it has to offer. The experience-rich tour begins with the ‘Visitor Center’, which includes an exhibition hall, auditorium and library, and ends with the ‘Souq Al Jami’, which includes shops, entertainment spaces and restaurants that cater to their needs and allow them to have some time unforgettable in the mosque.

Visitors can also visit the mosque’s jogging track, which allows all members of the community from various groups and cultures to exercise, enjoy the services offered and experience the unique atmosphere surrounded by stunning views.

The center implements an integrated work system, run by specialized and qualified cadres in various fields and under a well-defined plan that effectively provides a great cultural experience to its visitors from different cultures of the world. The cultural tours offered by the Emirati Center specialists in Arabic and English are one of the most popular experiences at the mosque. Cultural tours in Arabic and English sign languages ​​are also offered.

The center is currently training its cultural tour specialists to be able to offer tours in Chinese, Russian, Hebrew, Turkish and French. SZGMC is committed to developing the capabilities of its executives and improving their performance in various areas to provide the highest level of service and experience.

Translated by: Gihane Fawzi.

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