Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Conducts Lectures On Tolerance And Cultural Dialogue In Moscow

During an official visit to Moscow, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) organised lectures at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and Moscow State University. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of SZGMC, delivered these talks. They were part of a cultural visit that included meetings with senior officials from Russian academic and cultural institutions.

The lectures attracted around 100 students, including Emiratis. Al Obaidli discussed the mosque's role in promoting tolerance and intercultural dialogue. He highlighted its status as a global worship site, attracting over six million visitors annually, with 81 percent being international tourists. The mosque consistently ranks among the world's top cultural landmarks.

Al Obaidli showcased several youth-focused initiatives under the Al Shabab Al Banie programme. These include Ibn Al-Dar, Junior Cultural Guide, Future Guide, and youth discussions. Immersive experiences like Diya – A Universe of Light and the El-Delleel multimedia guide are also offered. The Centre conducts over 5,400 multilingual guided tours each year and has introduced night tours.

The Spaces of Light photography award was another highlight. Valued at AED850,000, it has attracted over 9,400 photographers from 70 countries. This award underscores visual art's role in fostering cross-cultural understanding while supporting the mosque’s universal mission.

Al Obaidli elaborated on Ramadan activities at the mosque, which hosts more than 1.8 million visitors annually and distributes over 2.15 million Iftar meals. The Centre also organises lectures and traditional events during this period. SZGMC’s global outreach includes international travel exhibitions and participation in events like Asia Travel Market and ITB Berlin.

Mosque models have been displayed in over 20 embassies worldwide. Notably, there has been an increase in average visitor stay from one to six hours due to exceptional service quality. The Centre employs 515 professionals who work over 1.17 million hours annually to manage infrastructure such as tunnels, elevators, lighting systems, and visitor transport.

Cultural Exchange and Cooperation

During their visit to Moscow, SZGMC representatives met with leaders from MGIMO, the Russian State Library, and other organisations to explore cooperation in cultural dialogue and museological exchange through initiatives like the Light & Peace Museum.

The delegation visited key institutions such as the Kremlin Museums and the State Museum of Oriental Art to learn about best practices in museum management. They unveiled a Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque model at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque alongside the Light & Peace mobile library and Spaces of Light exhibition.

These events were part of the Jusoor Programme’s Minarets of the Two Capitals initiative. Since 2012, this programme has launched over 21 mosque models globally in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With inputs from WAM