Historic Milestone for Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque During Ramadan
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has achieved a remarkable milestone this year, welcoming an unprecedented 3,226,103 guests during Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr prayers across its network of mosques in the United Arab Emirates. This figure represents one of the highest attendance records ever reported, highlighting the growing spiritual and cultural significance of these religious landmarks during the holy month.
Record-Breaking Numbers Across UAE Mosques
The massive turnout included worshippers, visitors, and thousands who gathered daily for iftar meals, reflecting the deep community engagement during Ramadan. The iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi stood at the heart of this achievement, welcoming 1,695,698 guests alone. This reaffirms its position as one of the world's most visited religious and cultural destinations.
Other mosques managed by the centre also saw significant footfall:
- Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque: 960,011 guests, driven by strong community participation
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Fujairah: 507,222 guests, including both worshippers and visitors
- Ras Al Khaimah mosque: 63,172 worshippers during the same period
Unprecedented Iftar Distribution and Community Initiatives
The Abu Dhabi mosque set a new record for iftar meals, serving 980,010 meals - the highest ever at the site. Across all locations, a staggering 2.6 million iftar meals were distributed as part of the annual Ramadan initiative. This massive effort was driven by the centre's flagship "Our Fasting Guests" program, which continues a legacy inspired by the UAE's founding values of generosity and service.
Beyond prayers and meals, the surge in visitors was supported by more than 10 Ramadan initiatives designed to deepen community engagement:
- Digital religious and cultural platforms like Afnan
- Educational programmes such as Echoes of the Grand Mosque and Kursi Al Jami'
- A series of Ramadan lectures held in collaboration with national institutions
- Special events including Zayed Humanitarian Day, with Qurans distributed to worshippers and visitors
These comprehensive efforts transformed the mosques into vibrant hubs of learning, charity, and cultural exchange, extending their role beyond traditional places of worship.
Symbol of Unity and Resilience
What makes this record particularly significant is the broader context in which it was achieved. Despite regional tensions during Ramadan, worshippers continued to gather in large numbers, highlighting the mosque's role as a symbol of unity, resilience, and faith.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is not only a spiritual centre but also a global cultural landmark. It welcomed nearly 6.85 million visitors in 2025, the highest annual figure in its history, underlining its international appeal. With the capacity to host tens of thousands of worshippers at once and its reputation as one of the world's most iconic mosques, its ability to attract millions during Ramadan reflects both its scale and its significance.
Looking to the Future
This year's 3.22 million visitors represents more than just a statistic - it signals the mosque's enduring role in bringing together communities, cultures, and faiths during one of the most important times in the Islamic calendar. From record-breaking iftar distributions to packed prayer halls during Eid, the numbers tell a larger story of generosity, devotion, and shared spiritual experiences that continue to grow year after year.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre's achievements during Ramadan 2025 demonstrate how religious institutions can serve as powerful forces for community building, cultural exchange, and humanitarian outreach while maintaining their core spiritual functions.
