The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi continues to solidify its position as one of the world’s most visited religious and cultural sites. In 2024, the mosque welcomed 6,582,993 visitors, reflecting a 20% increase from the previous year, according to figures released by state news agency WAM.
This total includes approximately 2.2 million worshippers and 4.3 million tourists, along with 60,937 visitors who utilized the mosque’s jogging track.
A Year of Milestones
The mosque saw record-breaking attendance during key religious occasions. A total of 617,458 worshippers attended Ramadan and Eid prayers, with the 27th night of Ramadan drawing a historic 87,186 attendees, including 70,680 worshippers—the highest in the mosque’s history.
Regular prayers also saw strong participation:
- 709,875 people attended daily prayers throughout the year.
- 281,941 worshippers gathered for Friday prayers.
The highest single-day attendance was recorded on April 11, during Eid Al Fitr, when 32,722 people visited the mosque.
A Global Attraction
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque continues to captivate international travelers, with 81% of visitors coming from outside the UAE, while 19% were UAE residents.
Visitor Demographics by Region:
- Asia: 52%
- Europe: 33%
- North America: 8%
- South America: 3%
- Africa: 3%
- Australia: 1%
Top Visiting Nationalities:
- India – 841,980 visitors
- China – 397,048 visitors
- Russia – 293,667 visitors
- United States – 204,018 visitors
- Germany – 149,277 visitors
- United Kingdom – 127,691 visitors
- France – 124,691 visitors
- Italy – 113,204 visitors
- Pakistan – 104,166 visitors
- Philippines – 86,898 visitors
Ramadan and Community Initiatives
During Ramadan, the mosque played a crucial role in serving the community, distributing more than 2.1 million iftar meals as part of the “Our Fasting Guests” initiative.
- 650,001 meals were distributed within the mosque’s premises.
- 1.5 million meals were sent to labor accommodations across Abu Dhabi.
- An additional 30,000 suhoor meals were provided during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
The mosque’s significance extends beyond religious and cultural importance—it continues to earn international acclaim. In 2024, it was ranked among the top 1% of global tourist attractions and named the Middle East’s top cultural and historical site by Tripadvisor.
With its stunning architecture, spiritual significance, and cultural outreach, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque remains a symbol of unity and peace, drawing millions of visitors each year.
