Abu dhabi: Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi alongside his partner Jodie Haydon. They were accompanied by Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, UAE Ambassador to Australia, Ridwan Joudat, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, and senior members of the Australian delegation.

According to Emirates News Agency, during the visit, the Australian Prime Minister and the accompanying delegation were guided by Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. Dr. Al Obaidli led them through the mosque’s expansive halls and courtyards, explaining the history of the mosque’s establishment and its role as a cultural landmark. The mosque embodies values of coexistence, tolerance, and openness, principles rooted in the vision of the late Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Dr. Al Obaidli also emphasized the Centre’s mission to convey the essence of Islamic culture and promote dialogue among nations and peoples.

Cultural tour specialist Rawda Al Marzouqi provided a detailed overview of the mosque’s artistic and architectural splendour. Al Marzouqi illustrated how Islamic civilisations across the centuries contributed to its design, noting that the mosque unites diverse traditions in a single architectural statement, reflecting harmony and creativity through cultural exchange.

The Prime Minister and his delegation also visited the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed, recalling his wisdom and vision of peace that continue to shape the UAE’s culture of tolerance and coexistence.

To commemorate the visit, the guests were presented with a compass inspired by the mosque’s chandelier design, along with a copy of ‘Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace’. This publication showcases the mosque’s distinctive architectural style and takes readers on a visual journey through its artistic and engineering splendour, featuring award-winning photographs from the ‘Spaces of Light’ competition.