The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has set a new milestone in 2024, welcoming a record-breaking 6.5 million visitors—a 20% increase compared to 2023. Among these visitors, 2.2 million were worshippers attending prayers, while 4.2 million were tourists. Additionally, 60,000 visitors utilized the mosque’s running track, highlighting its unique blend of spiritual and recreational offerings.
The mosque, one of the world’s largest and most iconic, saw significant attendance during key religious events. Nearly 282,000 worshippers attended Friday prayers, while 709,800 participated in daily prayers. During the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr celebration, the mosque hosted 617,000 worshippers. A particularly notable day was April 5, when the mosque welcomed a record 87,000 visitors, including 70,000 worshippers.
As part of the Our Fasting Guests initiative, the mosque distributed over 2 million iftar meals during Ramadan. Of these, 650,000 meals were served on the mosque’s premises, while 1.5 million were distributed across various neighborhoods in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the mosque’s commitment to community service and hospitality.
International tourists made up 81% of the mosque’s visitors in 2024, with the majority coming from Asia (52%), followed by Europe (33%) and North America (8%). Indian visitors topped the list with 841,000, followed by Chinese tourists at 397,000.
The busiest single day was the second day of Eid al-Fitr, when the mosque welcomed 32,700 visitors. Throughout the year, the mosque also hosted 5,600 guided tours and welcomed 1,500 official delegations. Among these were 309 high-level delegations, including visits from eight heads of state, a vice president, three state governors, four sheikhs and princes, nine prime ministers, and seven deputy prime ministers.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque continues to be a global symbol of cultural and religious harmony, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. Its record-breaking numbers in 2024 not only underscore its significance as a place of worship but also highlight its role as a major tourist destination and a beacon of inclusivity and hospitality.
Source: ArabianBusiness