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The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority is to begin scheduled guided tours of the UAE capital's magnificent Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in a move to promote greater cross-cultural religious and heritage understanding.
Four tours were held last week as part of Abu Dhabi's celebration of International Tourist Guide Day - staged globally to recognise tourist guides' essential contribution to the tourism experience - and, as of March, daily tours will be conducted from Saturday to Thursday.
"To reflect the true spirit of Islam, a religion of peace, education and tolerance, the mosque tours will allow residents and tourists alike to experience this inspiring addition to Islamic architecture and to receive an insight into Islam and Abu Dhabi's heritage from trained and certified national tourist guides," said ADTA's licensing and classification division director Nasser Saif Al Reyami.
"The introduction of the mosque tours reflects Shaikh Zayed's internationally recognised unifying influence - a legacy which is being upheld today by the Abu Dhabi government. The tours also demonstrate Abu Dhabi's inclusive approach to becoming a global tourism destination with true universal appeal," said Al Reyami.
One of the world's largest mosques, covering 22,000 square metres, this landmark architectural statement on the UAE capital's evolving landscape, combines traditional Islamic designs and modern architectural techniques.
