Dubai, as one of the most beautiful and well regarded cities in the United Emirates, is blessed with all kinds of awe-inspiring tourist attractions. This is why millions of travelers visit this city every year. As you know, this city is most delightfully decorated with magnificent and culturally significant mosques alongside its ever so dazzling skyscrapers and modern architecture. Mosques of Dubai are famous for their iconic and stunning architectural designs, catching the gaze of every architectural enthusiast.
In this article, we are excited to introduce some of the most beautiful and famous mosques in Dubai. If you want to learn about these must see places more and in detail, stay with us as we have a few surprises up on our sleeves.
Dubai is a city that never stops surprising. If you are a first-time visitor longing for a perfect experience, make sure to check our Ultimate Dubai Travel Guide. It’ll come handy in the most unexpected places, we assure you.
Back to exploring Dubai’s most beautiful and significant mosques, it is essential to make one thing clear: they offer an intense connection with the city’s rich cultural and religious heritage. They show the depth of history and Islamic traditions that attract both tourists and Muslims from every part of the world. In these mosques, one may see rare and unforgettable historical structures and architectural masterpieces. Now, let’s go into the details of the following marvelous mosques:
This popular mosque was built on behalf of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, who is also the country’s Deputy Prime Minister. Construction lasted about 3 to 4 years and was finally opened in October 2013 to the public.
The basic principles of Islamic architecture are followed by the Al-Rahim Mosque of Dubai. It has a minaret, a high tower from where the imam summons worshipers for prayer, thus taking the traditional function of a muezzin. The mosque crowns with one dome representative of the arch of the sky; a common feature in designing Islamic architecture. Further, it contains a Ziyada – that is, an open space or a yard enclosed by a double wall. A waterfall features on the side facing the marina. At night, the structure is beautifully lit up in shades of blue and white.
The mosque is divided into two major parts. The first comprises the men’s prayer hall, whose entrance leads directly into the courtyard. A smaller women’s prayer area is tacked on to the upper level of the same section; with its entrance facing out. This mosque is a stunning work of art and deserves your visit if you are a history, religion or architecture enthusiast.
Jumeirah Mosque is up on the list of the largest and most famous mosques in Dubai, well regarded in the elite neighborhood of Jumeirah. It has stunning architecture, thus making it popular among photographers and tourists alike. You can look at our latest guide on How to Use Public Transportation in Dubai to get yourself there fast and safe. The area is among the most popular residential ones in Dubai, housing a notable Iranian population and an expatriate one.
Jumeirah Mosque represents the place where Muslims come for quiet prayers and what makes this mosque especially popular is the fact that people of other faiths are allowed inside as well. This openness results in a better understanding of Islamic culture among different communities.
While it is not located exactly in Dubai, per se, but in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque is somehow always associated with Dubai due to its proximity and grandeur. It’s name comes from the first ruler of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyanv and is surely one of the most spacious and beautiful mosques in the world. You can look once and realize its great architecture and towering minarets that form an unforgettable sight.
The Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the 19th largest mosque in the world, showing off the UAE’s commitment to religious and cultural values. It has its own form of magical power to attract visitors from every nook and corner of the world, although it has restricted entry to only Muslims. This might seem selfish but it gives a sort of exclusivity to the magnificent structure that some do appreciate greatly.
The Grand Mosque or the Grand Mosque of Dubai is one of the most well-known mosques in the Emirates. The Majestic Towers of Dubai comes to mind when grandeur is concerned, but with an outstanding architecture, the Grand Mosque boasts of the tallest minaret in Dubai, measuring 70 meters high. The mosque consists of 45 small domes and nine large ones, making it an impressive skyline.
While it was constructed in 1900, it was entirely demolished 60 years later and constructed anew in 1998. Situated near the Dubai Museum, the mosque can thus easily be combined with a museum visit in one cultural excursion, which is particularly convenient. Entry into this holy place, however, is not allowed for those of other faiths.
In the Iranian Mosque in Dubai, or Ali Ibn Abi Talib Mosque, beautiful and great designs are all around you, really depicting Islamic architecture. It lies near the Grand Mosque. It would serve the Shia community among the Iranians and the non-Iranians living within the Emirates.
The outside of the mosque is also artistically embellished with lovely blue tiles and little square mosaics, adding to its charm. Beautiful calligraphy and artwork in bright colors such as red, white, green, and yellow adorn the interior of this mosque, an amazing sight to see.
Have you ever visited Istanbul and saw its famous Sultan Ahmed Mosque? This well-known mosque inspired the Al Farouq Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Located along Sheikh Zayed Road, the mosque opened in 2011 and has an impressive architecture based on Ottoman and Andalusian styles.
With four minarets, 21 domes, and 124 color-stained glass windows, this mosque promises a visual treat for any viewer. It was named after one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad and is considered a serene haven to worship and reflect.
Another major mosque in Dubai is the Khalifa Al Tajer Mosque, located in the Bur Dubai area. It has been designed with two tall minarets and one beautiful dome, majorly in earthy colors of brown and green. Moreover, it has been made to attain the status of first and foremost environment-friendly mosque on the basis of using natural sunlight for energy and air conditioners in order to reduce greenhouse gasses.
While the mosque is one of the most stunningly beautiful in Dubai, it does not allow entry for others than the people of its own faith. This keeps it sacred for the worshippers.
The architectural marvels, in particular grand mosques, considerably affect the real estate of Dubai. Such structures, like the Jumeirah Mosque and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, bring more beauty to the town and hence its cultural and spiritual appeal. In this regard, it attracts a series of visitors to the place, both locals and foreigners alike, creating a special demand for properties around them.
In general, the presence of mosques bearing famous names drives the property prices in Dubai up. For instance, property prices around the Jumeirah Mosque have gone up a notch due to its cultural importance, commanding high demand from residents and investors for the surroundings around the location. The same case applies to areas around other major religious centers since the landmarks turn into some sort of focal points where community interaction and tourism rest.
Further, mosques evoke the sense of community and inclusion in people, which again acts as an added attraction for buyers. Thus, families looking for a more lively atmosphere, along with the availability of religious and cultural amenities, will invest in a house nearer to such mosques. This will automatically lead to increased demand for both residential and commercial properties of the area, thus boosting the real estate market.
Large mosque constructions also tend to coincide with the building and development of cities, which will enhance the general infrastructure of the region. This will comprise better transportation means, enhanced public services, and increased retail outlets. These will make such areas all the more attractive for both residents and investors.
To sum up everything, mosques in Dubai do not only serve as a place of prayer for Muslims but also as part of the cultural and historical being in the city. The architectural and decorative perspective, along with religious values linked to mosques, attracts many visitors from around the world.
In this article, we introduced some of the most famous mosques in Dubai, describing their unique characteristic features and significance. If you have been to such sacred places, then feel free to share with us your thoughts and experiences. Surely, the mosques of Dubai reflect not just the commitment to faith but also a generous amount of diversity and multiculturalism, making them a must-visit destination for anyone looking forward to exploring this remarkable city.
Many mosques enhance the attractiveness of the area around them by increasing the rate at which property values appreciate. Indeed, neighborhoods surrounding some of the city's most popular mosques, such as the Jumeirah Mosque, have higher levels of demand, hence becoming highly attractive to potential buyers and investors.
Mosques present a part of culture and spirituality, often bonding people together and giving them a sense of community and inclusivity. The community aspect appeals to families and any individual in search of a vibrant neighborhood; therefore, it has a positive effect on the real estate market.
Yes, iconic mosques attract a lot of tourism, bringing in money within the local economy. This could also mean that with more people coming to visit, there might be higher demand for residential and commercial properties around that area, hence boosting the real estate market further.
Although there are those that do allow non-Muslim visitors to go inside the mosques, such as the Jumeirah Mosque, some mosques, such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, maintain strict visitor policies that exclude non-Muslims from entering. Whatever the case may be, access policies for non-Muslim visitors have to be considered before one embarks on a visit.
