Ramadan in the UAE always brings people together, and this year one place stood out above all. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomed nearly 1.7 million visitors during Ramadan and Eid 2026, with steady activity from the first day of fasting right through the holiday.
From early morning prayers to late-night gatherings, the mosque stayed active throughout the season. Worshippers, tourists, and iftar guests all made their way there, making it the most-visited landmark of the holy month.
Nearly 1.7 Million Visitors During Ramadan and Eid
The final count reached 1,695,698 guests across the full Ramadan and Eid period.
That figure breaks down into three groups:
- 510,046 worshippers attended prayers throughout the holy month. - 205,642 visitors came to experience the mosque and its surroundings. - 980,010 iftar guests joined daily meals hosted at the mosque — the highest number of iftar meals the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has ever distributed.
The turnout remained consistent throughout Ramadan and continued into Eid, with visitors arriving at all hours of the day.
Iftar Gatherings Brought the Community Together Every Evening
Iftar services were one of the main highlights of the season. Each evening, guests gathered to break their fast in a well-organised setting at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Dining areas were arranged to handle large groups, and the setup allowed people to join without long waits. The experience ran smoothly even during peak hours. With extended visiting hours in place for Ramadan, people had the flexibility to arrive earlier in the day or well into the evening.
UAE Mosques Recorded Over 3.2 Million Visitors
The wider picture shows just how active this Ramadan was across the country. Mosques managed by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre — including sites in Al Ain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah — recorded a combined 3,226,103 visitors during Ramadan and Eid.
A significant share of that total came from the Abu Dhabi flagship mosque, which remained the busiest location throughout the period. The numbers highlight how Ramadan continues to draw strong participation from both UAE residents and international visitors.
Why Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Keeps Drawing Millions
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque remains one of the most recognised landmarks in the UAE, particularly during the holy month. It offers dedicated prayer spaces, guided visits, and daily iftar services — giving people multiple ways to experience it, whether for spiritual, cultural, or personal reasons.
That steady, year-on-year interest is reflected clearly in this season's record-setting figures. Nearly 1.7 million visitors in a single Ramadan and Eid season underscores how central the mosque is to the UAE's experience of the holiest time of year.
