{
  "id": 8043916,
  "title": "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi introduces entry fee for visitors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque-in-abu-dhabi-introduces-entry-fee-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T14:16:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque-in-abu-dhabi-introduces-entry-fee-for-visitors-1.500678430"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Effective immediately, visitors to Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will need to pay an entry fee, with residents of the United Arab Emirates charged Dh5 and tourists paying Dh10. However, worshippers, individuals over 60 years old, children under three years old and those with disabilities can still enter the mosque without incurring any cost. To avoid last-minute overcrowding, visitors can reserve their tickets up to one month in advance through the official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre website. The mosque operates from 9am to 8.30pm from Saturday to Thursday, while on Fridays, visiting hours are shorter, from 9am to 11.30am and then 2.30pm to 8.30pm.\n\nApart from entry fees, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre also provides free cultural tours that last between 30 and 45 minutes. These guided tours offer insights into the mosque’s historical significance, its role in promoting coexistence and tolerance, and the intricate details of its construction. Tours are conducted daily from Monday to Sunday at 11am, 1pm, and 5pm, with additional timings on Fridays at 11am and 5pm. In addition to the guided tours, visitors can also explore the mosque's Light & Peace Museum and experience Diya, a unique 360-degree immersive show that delves into Islamic civilization through sound and light.\n\nDespite the new entry fee, the mosque has continued to attract a substantial number of visitors. In the first half of 2026 alone, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomed over 3.12 million guests. This impressive figure included 1,841,305 worshippers and individuals attending iftar, along with 1,241,808 visitors hailing from various nationalities. Friday prayers drew 98,469 worshippers, while 229,139 people participated in daily prayers. During Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, 533,687 people prayed at the mosque.\n\nInternational visitors comprised 78% of the total guests, underscoring the mosque's growing reputation as a prominent global cultural tourism site. The largest share of international visitors came from Asia at 52%, followed by Europe at 31% and North America at 10%. Other notable visitor origins included Africa (3%), South America (3%), Australia (1%), India (21%), China (10%), Russia (8%), the United States (7%), Germany (4%), the Philippines (3%), the United Kingdom (3%), France (3%), Poland (3%), and Pakistan (3%).",
  "summary": "Visitors to Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque must now pay an entry fee, with UAE Emirates ID holders charged Dh5 and tourists Dh10. The mosque remains free to enter for worshippers. Visitors aged over 60, children under three and people of determination can also access the vast complex without paying an entry fee. Tickets can be booked through the official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque introduces entry fee for visitors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque-introduces-entry-fee-for-visitors",
        "published": "2026-09-17T10:38:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}