If you’re planning a trip to the UAE then you must surely consider paying a visit to the many incredible mosques . Located in different Emirates of the UAE, some Mosques also welcome non-Muslim visitors, giving tourists a great taste of the culture and religion in this country.
Dubai alone is home to many beautiful mosques, however, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah & Fujairah also offer cultural specialities.
Around 76% of the population in the UAE are Muslim. Thus, Islam is both the official as well as the majority religion in the UAE. Here, many mosques belong to the early Islamic era, and have thus, hold a part of history and culture as well as a place to practice religion.
With certain mosques now opening up to non-Muslim visitors, this helps give tourists a true insight into the religion of Islam and a taste of the real culture out in the UAE.
Today we dive in to 11 Mosques in the UAE that are a MUST visit.
3 Must Visit Mosques in Dubai
Jumeirah Mosque
A mosque that operates around the principle, “Open Doors, Open Minds” is the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque. This mosque has come to become one of the landmark destinations of Dubai.
Even though this is not the largest mosque in the UAE, it has become a tourist hotspot since it began welcoming non-Muslim visitors. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre conducts guided tours for the purpose of Cultural Understanding at this mosque.
Tours begin daily at 10am, except on Fridays.
Tourists get to witness prayers, and understand different customs through these tours. What’s more, let us not miss the outstanding architecture that makes the Jumeirah mosque even more special!
Your visit to Dubai will remain incomplete, if you fail to schedule a visit to the Jumeirah Mosque.
Location:
Jumeirah – Jumeirah 1
Non-Muslim Visitors: Allowed
Grand Mosque
The largest mosque of Dubai is the Grand Mosque, which is also known as the Grand Bur Dubai Masjid.
If you are fond of architecture that catches glimpses of traditional Islamic styles, then there is no better mosque than this one. Likewise, if you have plans to visit the Grand Mosque at night, then this well-lit mosque is well worth it.
The mosque accommodates non-Muslim visitors as well as visitors who are not even in Dubai with their HD virtual tours!
The Grand mosque stands out for The Minaret, which is the tallest in the city and is open to visitors from 8am to 10pm.
Location:
Opposite Dubai Museum, Near Rulers Court Office – Ali Bin Abi Taleb St – Al Fahidi
Non-Muslims: Allowed to explore the architecture of this mosque from the outside.
Al Farooq Omar bin Khattab Mosque
Yet another popular mosque in Dubai is the Al Farooq Omar bin Khattab Mosque which was built in 1986.
The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, inspires the construction of this mosque. This is why, the Al Farooq Omar bin Khattab Mosque is also known as the Blue Mosque.
What adds to the beauty of this mosque is its big 30 meter high dome. As a visitor, you are sure to be impressed with the interiors of this mosque. The extensive use of stained glass helps light to freely flow through the building.
The Al Farooq Omar bin Khattab Mosque also holds an educational value as it operates as a centre for Islamic studies. At this centre, one can learn about the Muslim culture, art, medicine, and science. The Arabic language is also taught at this centre.
Location:
119 6 D St – Al Safa – Al Safa 1
Non-Muslims: Allowed
3 Mosques in Abu Dhabi You Cannot Miss
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The third-largest mosque in the world, boasting a capacity of over 40,000 worshippers at one time, is The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
An interesting fact about this mosque is that the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has been rested at this mosque, with two Imams reading the Quran at his resting place, 24/7.
Located at the entrance of the Abu Dhabi Island, the innate beauty of this mosque lies in the fact that this structure is made entirely from white marble. This mosque is home to 82 gorgeous domes and is one of the best architectural masterpieces in the UAE.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is open to visitors all 7 days of the week. Guided tours are also hosted at this mosque, which are again free of cost.
As a symbol of tolerance and respect, this mosque aims to help people understand different cultures, and develop a greater knowledge of Islam.
Location:
Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street، – 5th St
Non-Muslims: Allowed
Al Aziz Mosque
A mosque in Abu Dhabi that appears quite distinguished when compared to the other mosques in UAE is the Al Aziz Mosque. What makes this mosque unique is its modern design and architecture.
The Al Aziz Mosque welcomes you with its triangular-cut minaret, glass fitting, and walls, which have names of Allah in calligraphic Arabic writings.
It would be ideal to visit this mosque during night as the lights add to the beauty of this structure. This mosque is a must-visit for anyone who is interested in state-of-the-art architecture.
Visitors are allowed to visit the mosque from the outside. If peace and tranquillity is your calling, then it is worth visiting this mosque on your visit to Abu Dhabi,
Location:
F9VW+2C7 – Jazeerat Al Reem
Non-Muslims: Allowed from the outside.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Mosque
On your visit to Abu Dhabi, you must also consider visiting the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Mosque. Even though it’s a small, and less known mosque, it is a must-visit for people who share an interest in unique architectural designs. Visitors often mistake this mosque for a museum.
This mosque was built in 2011 and has the capacity of housing around 5,000 plus worshippers. As a visitor, you will be attracted to this mosque’s spiralling dome and minaret, which makes a picture perfect backdrop. Inspired by the mud-brick architecture, this mosque is made from terracotta tiles. You will feel a sense of peace and calmness once you decide to head to the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak mosque.
Location:
Z15, Mohammed Bin Zayed City
Non-Muslims: Allowed
2 Mosques in Fujairah Which Deserve a Visit
Sheikh Zayed Mosque
A mosque in Fujairah that rightly represents a mix of elegance and grandeur is the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. This mosque was constructed from scratch in just 700 days!
Since its opening to the public in 2015, this mosque has been able to pull the crowds all thanks to its 65 domes and 6 minarets. At a time, this mosque can house over 28,000 worshippers. There is also a special prayer house for women with a capacity of 2,500 heads.
The mosque’s beautiful courtyard, which is dominated by gardens, flowers, and fountains makes this place of worship a hit amongst visitors. Even though the exterior of this mosque bears close resemblance to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the interiors are inspired by Moorish Architecture.
The interiors of this mosque sport a radiant combination of gold and red, with verses from the Holy Quran inscribed on the walls.
Location:
Mohammed Bin Matar Rd – Fujairah – United Arab Emirates
Non-Muslims: Allowed except on Fridays
Al Bidya Mosque
The Al Bidya Mosque is of archaeological importance and gives visitors a glimpse into what life had been on that land some 500 to 600 years ago.
The Al Bidya Mosque is also known to the locals as the Ottoman mosque. Even though this mosque is a small structure that can house only around 70 worshippers, the main hall is home to many important elements that form part of the Islamic architecture.
Additionally, the Ali Bidya mosque is home to a rectangular courtyard that can host congregational prayers. Locals, as well as visitors are allowed to enter this mosque and participate in the daily prayers. Visit to this mosque is free of cost.
Indeed, your trip to Fujairah will remain incomplete, if you skip this mosque from your must-visit list.
Location:
Al Bidiyah – Fujairah – United Arab Emirates
Non-Muslims: Allowed
Head to These 2 Mosques in Sharjah
Sharjah Mosque
The Sharjah mosque is the largest mosque in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE. This mosque has came into existence after an astonishing construction spend of 300 million dirhams!
Sharjah Mosque opened to visitors in 2019. In totality, the Sharjah mosque can accommodate around 25,000 worshippers. Out of these, 5,000 worshippers will find a place in the inner area, out of which 610 can be women.
Even though this mosque has opened its doors to non-Muslim visitors, independent spaces, and pathways are designed for that purpose.
Another standout feature of this mosque is that it is home to a large library, which houses an array of Islamic works. There’s a rubber path made around the mosque, where visitors can take a round to explore the complex.
At this mosque, it will be very difficult for you to take away from attention from the striking chandelier. You will also find a souvenir shop, fountains, and museum inside.
Location:
6HRC+63X – Al Suyoh Suburb – Al Rigaibah
Non-Muslims: Allowed
Al Noor Mosque
A mosque in Sharjah which was one of the first mosques to flag guided tours for non-Muslims is the Al Noor Mosque. An architectural beauty in itself, this mosque incorporates glimpses of the Ottoman period.
The first thing that you will see on your visit to the Al Noor Mosque is its two minarets, and cascading domes. A close view of this mosque will help you understand that this mosque bears resemblance to the Blue Mosque in Turkey.
At any given time, around 2,200 worshippers can attend the prayers inside this mosque.
As a non-Muslim visitor, you can attend the free guided tours hosted by the Sharjah Centre for Cultural Communication. It is in these tours that visitors are exposed to Islamic and Emirati history. Additionally, visitors can view the different sections of the mosque and explore the intricate architectural details.
Location:
Corniche St – Al Majaz – Al Majaz 1 – Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Non-Muslims: Allowed
One More Mosque Worth Visiting in Ajman
Sheikh Zayed Ajman Mosque
A flagship building in the city is the Sheikh Zayed Ajman mosque. This mosque has come to become a favourite for all tourists as a result of its intricate, and unique architecture.
Built on an area of about 37,000 sq. meters, this mosque has the capacity of housing around 2,500 worshippers at any given time. What makes this mosque an even interesting tourist hub is that it is located on the outskirts of the city.
If you have plans to visit Ajman, then you should definitely consider taking a halt at the Sheikh Zayed Ajman Mosque. After all, an important message this mosque gives is to abide by love, peace, and tolerance.
Location:
University St – Al Jerf 2 – Ajman – United Arab Emirates
Non-Muslims: Allowed
Conclusion
As a tourist, if you were sceptical about visiting the many beautiful mosques in the UAE, then now is the time to re-assess your plans. With the idea of taking the Islamic culture to different communities, many mosques in the UAE have already opened their doors to visitors.
Even though most of the mosques have time restrictions for Friday visits by visitors, not all restrict complete entry. However, if you are genuinely interested in understanding the Islamic culture, then it would be ideal to skip mosque visits on Fridays as on this day the number of local Muslim worshippers, who visit mosques, is on the higher side.
Overall, if you are interested in getting lost to the natural beauty, while simultaneously finding stillness and peace of mind, then there is no better place in the UAE than these mosques to pay a visit.
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