During a recent stop on his diplomatic tour through the Middle East — his first major overseas visit of his second term — President Donald Trump visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The visit marked his first publicly known appearance at a Muslim house of worship while in office.
On Thursday, President Trump arrived at the mosque in Abu Dhabi and, as is customary, removed his shoes before entering.
He was welcomed and escorted by Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
"Isn't this beautiful? It is so beautiful," Trump remarked, admiring the site. "This is an incredible culture."
So, what makes this mosque so extraordinary? Here's everything you need to know about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most iconic landmarks in the Islamic world.
The amalgamation of faith and vision
Nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is more than just a place of worship. It is a stunning fusion of architecture, artistry, and cultural expression.
The mosque stands as a testament to the vision of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who dreamed of creating a mosque that reflected the moderation, inclusiveness, and beauty of Islam.
As per the official website of the mosque, the planning for the Holy site began in the late 1980s. Construction officially commenced on November 5, 1996, and took over a decade to complete.
The mosque’s construction brought together talent and materials from around the globe. as per reports, over 3,000 artisans and 38 contracting companies contributed to the project. They sourced the materials from countries like Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, the UK, New Zealand, Greece, and the UAE. Further it was ensured that the construction of the mosque happens only using natural materials, including marble, gold, ceramics, semi-precious stones, and crystals.
Architecturally, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a rare convergence of Mughal, Moorish, Ottoman, and Persian influences, resulting in a structure that honors Islamic tradition while embracing modern innovation.
After 11 years of work, the mosque opened its doors on December 20, 2007, just in time for Eid Al-Adha. Today, it not only accommodates up to 50,000 worshippers it also acts as a center for cultural dialogue.
The mosque also holds profound significance as the final resting place of Sheikh Zayed, whose tomb is located on the mosque grounds, ensuring that the visionary behind the project remains eternally connected to it.
In 2008, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) was established by decree from His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The Centre's mission is to manage the mosque's operations, preserve its religious and cultural message, and foster understanding between communities and cultures.
Chandelier adorned with 40 million colored crystal beads
Among the mosque’s most captivating elements are its chandeliers, designed by the German firm Faustig. Crafted to resemble upturned palm trees—a traditional symbol of prosperity in the UAE—they pay homage to Sheikh Zayed's legacy. These massive stainless-steel chandeliers are adorned with 24-carat gold plating and encrusted with Swarovski crystals, including nearly 40 million colored crystal beads in green, red, and yellow. Their intricate beauty leaves a lasting impression on all who see them.
The mosque, today, represents the UAE’s dedication to preserving its heritage and projecting a vision of tolerance and harmony to the world.
On Thursday, President Trump arrived at the mosque in Abu Dhabi and, as is customary, removed his shoes before entering.
He was welcomed and escorted by Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
President Trump at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) May 15, 2025
They shut down the Mosque for his special visit — the first time it has ever been closed for anyone in history. Historic moment! pic.twitter.com/BS09jHDPCh
"Isn't this beautiful? It is so beautiful," Trump remarked, admiring the site. "This is an incredible culture."
So, what makes this mosque so extraordinary? Here's everything you need to know about the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most iconic landmarks in the Islamic world.
US President Donald Trump commented after his tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, saying: "This mosque is very beautiful, I am very proud of my friends, it's a wonderful culture." pic.twitter.com/UjOjrcQjxG
— khalid Chougle (@ChougleKhalid) May 15, 2025
The amalgamation of faith and vision
Nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is more than just a place of worship. It is a stunning fusion of architecture, artistry, and cultural expression.
The mosque stands as a testament to the vision of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who dreamed of creating a mosque that reflected the moderation, inclusiveness, and beauty of Islam.
As per the official website of the mosque, the planning for the Holy site began in the late 1980s. Construction officially commenced on November 5, 1996, and took over a decade to complete.
The mosque’s construction brought together talent and materials from around the globe. as per reports, over 3,000 artisans and 38 contracting companies contributed to the project. They sourced the materials from countries like Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, China, the UK, New Zealand, Greece, and the UAE. Further it was ensured that the construction of the mosque happens only using natural materials, including marble, gold, ceramics, semi-precious stones, and crystals.
Architecturally, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a rare convergence of Mughal, Moorish, Ottoman, and Persian influences, resulting in a structure that honors Islamic tradition while embracing modern innovation.
After 11 years of work, the mosque opened its doors on December 20, 2007, just in time for Eid Al-Adha. Today, it not only accommodates up to 50,000 worshippers it also acts as a center for cultural dialogue.
The mosque also holds profound significance as the final resting place of Sheikh Zayed, whose tomb is located on the mosque grounds, ensuring that the visionary behind the project remains eternally connected to it.
In 2008, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) was established by decree from His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The Centre's mission is to manage the mosque's operations, preserve its religious and cultural message, and foster understanding between communities and cultures.
Chandelier adorned with 40 million colored crystal beads
Among the mosque’s most captivating elements are its chandeliers, designed by the German firm Faustig. Crafted to resemble upturned palm trees—a traditional symbol of prosperity in the UAE—they pay homage to Sheikh Zayed's legacy. These massive stainless-steel chandeliers are adorned with 24-carat gold plating and encrusted with Swarovski crystals, including nearly 40 million colored crystal beads in green, red, and yellow. Their intricate beauty leaves a lasting impression on all who see them.
The mosque, today, represents the UAE’s dedication to preserving its heritage and projecting a vision of tolerance and harmony to the world.
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