2 notable sites ranked among the world's top 100
The United Arab Emirates punches far above its geographic weight in the world of Islamic architecture. The centrepiece is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi — completed in 2007 to honour the UAE's founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan — one of the most visually spectacular mosques in the modern world. Its 82 domes, 1,000 columns, and pure-white marble exterior are visible from the highway kilometres away. Inside, the main prayer hall holds the world's largest hand-knotted carpet (5,627 square metres, 35 tonnes, woven by 1,200 Iranian craftspeople), and 7 chandeliers incorporating Swarovski crystals hang above worshippers. The mosque is exceptional for a major Islamic site in actively welcoming non-Muslim visitors: free guided tours run daily (except Friday morning) and the dress code is well-managed with abayas available at the entrance. In Dubai, the Jumeirah Mosque — built in Fatimid style in 1976 and enlarged in 1979 — is the most accessible mosque in the emirate for non-Muslim visitors, running structured open-door tours six days a week through the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. These two mosques together make the UAE the most visitor-friendly destination in the world for non-Muslim tourism of Islamic architecture.
One of the world's largest mosques, featuring 82 domes, 1,000+ columns, the world's largest hand-knotted carpet (5,627 sq m), and chandeliers with Swarovski crystals. Its white marble exterior gleams brilliantly in the desert sun.
The largest mosque in the UAE and one of the most beautiful modern mosques in the world. A symbol of Islamic tolerance welcoming visitors of all faiths.
The most photographed mosque in Dubai and the most recognised symbol of the city's skyline outside the Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah Mosque was completed in 1979 in the medieval Fatimid style — the architecture of 11th–12th century Islamic Egypt. Its gleaming white exterior is flanked by two slender minarets and topped by a large central dome with two smaller flanking domes. Unlike most mosques in the Gulf, Jumeirah Mosque actively welcomes non-Muslim visitors and is managed by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding under the motto 'Open Doors, Open Minds.' Free guided tours run daily (except Fridays) at 10 am, led by cultural ambassadors who explain Islamic prayer, traditions, and history. Visitors must dress modestly; abayas and scarves are provided at the entrance. Capacity: 1,200 worshippers.
A symbol of Dubai's cultural openness and one of the few mosques in the Arabian Peninsula open to non-Muslim tourists. The leading Islamic cultural education venue in the UAE.