Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque among world’s top 25 must-see landmarks

Abu Dhabi: Having recognised the importance of the monument that stands majestically at the gate of Abu Dhabi, an online community has caused the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque to be ranked among the world’s top 25 tourist attractions, the Tourism and Culture Authority in Abu Dhabi (TCA-AD) announced on Thursday.

TripAdvisor, one of the largest tourism websites, cited that the landmark is a ‘must see’. Meanwhile, visitors from Abu Dhabi and outside the UAE gave it 1,800 ‘excellent’ ratings.

Also ranked number one in the capital’s top 61 attractions, the Mosque can be seen on the world line-up alongside the Taj Mahal in India, Petra in Jordan and Machu Picchu in Peru as per the tourism website’s 2013 Travellers Choice Awards.

“This is particularly pleasing as the rankings are solely based on reviews and recommendations by the vast TripAdvisor travelling community, thus confirming its [the Mosque’s] place as one of the most important cultural tourism destinations,” said Yousuf Al Obaidli, director general of the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC).

Founded by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE, the mosque can accommodate up to 40,000 worshippers.

“In 2012, 4.7 million visitors were welcomed to the mosque from all over the world,” explained Al Obaidli.

The mosque offers a range of services for visitors and worshippers to help them better understand the cultural aspects behind the iconic structure. Specialised air conditioned tents will be set up and the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi will prepare and deliver around 20,000 complete Iftar meal packages during this year’s holy month. Separate tents are provided for men and women.

This year, during the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Mosque’s opening timings have been extended further than previous years. Opening times will be 9am – 2pm and guided tours are offered complimentary at 10am and 11am, except on Fridays.

-Inputs by Cherry Wharburton, intern at Gulf News