Famous Mosques in Dubai

In an ultramodern city like Dubai, Muslim roots are also accentuated, so we want to show you the mosques in Dubai that you should visit. Would you like to get to know Dubai and its mosques?

Mosques in Dubai
Mosques in Dubai

1. The Grand Mosque

Sheikh Zayed Mosque ©Mohamad

I’m talking about the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the most beautiful religious monuments in the country. Critics and tourists alike say that this mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in the Arab world. It is located at the gateway to Abu Dhabi, at the eastern end of the capital island of the same name in the Persian Gulf.

The mosque is intended to unify all Muslim cultures and traditions in a single temple.

Important information about the Mosque

  • where is it located? at the beginning of Zone 1 of Abu Dhabi Island. Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed ST – Abu Dhabi.
  • how to get there?: I recommend to you the effective and fast means of transport to get there: Tourist bus or by car.
  • how long does it take to get there? from the centre of Dubai, between one hour and one hour and 30 minutes (depending on traffic).
  • is it open to the public? yes, guided tours of the entire mosque are available for approximately 18 Euros per person.
  • what are the opening hours? Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. And on Fridays, it opens at 16:30h.

2. Dubai Jumeirah Mosque

Dubai Jumeirah Mosque ©Susanne Nilsson

The Jumeirah Mosque is one of the most important and most visited mosques in Dubai. This is because it is one of the mosques where non-Muslims can enter and even take pictures. It is located in front of Pal Strip, Jumeirah RD.

Its structure is made of stone and stands out in the centre of the neighbourhood of the same name. Sunset is one of the best times to visit because it offers an almost magical charm as the sun sets within its walls.

Important information

  • where is it located? it is located in the Jumeirah district, on Jumeirah Beach Road, near the beach of the same name and the Dubai Zoo.
  • how to get there? by metro: Take the red line to the nearest stop, which is the World Trade Center. From there you can take a taxi or bus as it is a bit far away. The easiest option is to book one of the buses that offer private tours.
  • how long does it take to get there? approximately 25 minutes.
  • is it open to the public? yes, the entrance fee is quite affordable, it costs about 3 €.
  • what are the opening hours? Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) organises tours in English from Saturday to Thursday at 10am.

3. Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque ©Carl Byrne

The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Centre is one of the first mosques to open its doors to non-Muslims. Whether you want to discover the Islamic faith, admire the architecture of the building or enter to pray, it is an ideal place to visit.

Not only is it the bridge between Arab civilisation and the rest of the world, it is also an impressive piece of architecture in the heart of Al Safa. It is inspired by the Blue Mosque in Istanbul and rises 30 metres above the ground. It is one of the largest mosques in the United Arab Emirates and has a capacity of 2000 worshippers.

Important information about the mosque

  • where is it located? it is located at Jumeirah 3, 35th Street Dubai City.
  • how to get there? you can take the metro by taking the red line to Al Safa 1, Street 19, Jumeirah college.
  • how long does it take to get there? if you go by metro or bus, the approximate time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. By taxi or car about 22 minutes depending on traffic.
  • is it open to the public? yes. There are tours of Dubai which you can book for about 39 ¤ and which offer guided tours.
  • what are the opening hours? it is open every day from 10:00h and 11:00h in the morning. In the afternoon at 16:15h and 18:00h.

4. The Grand Mosque of Dubai

This mosque, also known as the Grand Bur Dubai Masjid, is an emblematic place of worship. It has a capacity of 1200 worshippers. It is home to Dubai’s tallest minaret, which is 70 metres (230 feet) high and resembles a lighthouse. The building has a long history and was once a school or Kuttab dedicated to the study of the Qur’an.

The first students attended in 1900 and memorised the entire Qur’an. In 1960, a new mosque was created, which was rebuilt in 1998 to replicate the original architecture.

The aim of this mosque is to increase knowledge of Islamic and Arabic culture.

Important Information

  • where is it located? located in Opposite Dubai Museum, Near Rulers Court Office – Ali Abi Talib St – Al Fahidi
  • how to get there? take the green metro line to Al Fahidi station. From there you can walk there.
  • how long does it take to get there? from the centre by metro it takes about 27 minutes, and from the metro station it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the mosque.
  • is it open to the public? yes, and the entrance is free.
  • what are the opening hours? it is open 24 hours a day, but the tours take place from Sunday to Thursday mornings.

5. Al Salam Mosque

Al Salam Mosque ©Amjad Abidi

The Al Salam Mosque is an imposing structure with several domes arranged in the shape of a pyramid. It is striking from the outside with its crimson-red bricks, golden domes and white reliefs along the edges.

It combines Emirati and Ottoman architecture, and the word ‘Shahada’, one of the five pillars of Islam, is written on its façade. The mosque is especially spectacular at night because its glowing green and gold lighting highlight every detail of the structure.

Important information about the mosque

  • where is it located? it is located in Al Salam Masjid, Al Barsha 2.
  • how to get there from downtown take the red metro line to Dubai Mall station, from there you can walk to Jumeirah 3 bus stop and from there another bus will take you to Dubai American Academy 1. From there you will have to walk about 12 minutes to get there.
  • how long does it take to get there? the whole journey can take 1 hour and 5 minutes.
  • It is not open to the public.

6. Abdul Rahman Siddique Mosque

The Abdul Rahman Siddique Mosque is an undeniably modern structure with a minimalist design. It is a focal point for spirituality and devotion. Its linear minaret, cubist-style main hall, rigid lines and geometric elements set this mosque apart from the rest of the city’s religious temples.

It has white and blue glass windows that make it gleam in the sunlight and allow natural light to filter through to the Alquibla, which is the direction in which Muslims pray towards Mecca.

Important information

  • where is it located? the Alhambra is located in the palm of Jumeirah.
  • how to get there? take the red metro line to Damac Properties station, from there you will change to the Dubai Marina Tram. Then take tram 1 to Jumeirah Palm Tram Station. Then take the Monorail which runs along the palm trunk.
  • how long does it take to get there? the ride can take around 2 hours.
  • It is not open to the public.

7. Khalifa Al tajir Mosque

This mosque is known as Dubai’s Green Mosque because it is the first eco-friendly mosque in the region. The Islamic religion has an important tradition of conserving natural resources and this mosque demonstrates that spirit as it is 100% environmentally friendly.

It is located on Dubai’s iconic waterfront. It was built with environmentally friendly materials and has solar panels for electricity and an air-conditioning system. It is also close to the popular Deira Gold Souk, so there is plenty more to discover in the surrounding area.

Important information

  • where is it located? located in an area of Dubai City called Deira. It is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Sharjah and Dubai Creek.
  • how to get there? from downtown, walk to Wals, Etisalat bus station, which will drop you at City Centre Metro bus Stop 1-2 and from there you have to walk about 2 minutes to get there.
  • how long does it take to get there? approximately 38 minutes.
  • Not open to the public.

8. City Walk Mosque

This mosque is integrated into the urban aesthetic of City Walk. It is cube-shaped and reddish-brown in colour. Its design is a little more distant from the classical elements of the other temples, such as minarets and domes. This one, on the other hand, has elegant glass door shapes, more in the minimalist style.

At night the structure is delicately illuminated, creating an ethereal effect. On one side of the building, there is a gigantic sculpture by Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej (inspired by a verse from the Qur’an) and a classic Arabic stainless steel fountain in undulating forms.

Important information

  • where is it located? the City Walk is located in the City Walk district.
  • how to get there? the shortest and quickest way is by car or taxi. How long does it take to get there? about 6 minutes from the centre.
  • Not open to the public.

9. DIFC Grand Mosque

This giant and impressive structure is located next to Gate Village in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The design of this grand mosque is inspired by traditional Islamic architecture.

It features elements such as the Mashrabiya. The mosque is surrounded by a series of graduated perforations thanks to the light that is divided inside. So this temple has a modern and also a classical touch that is impressive to look at.

Important information

  • where is it located? at Trade Centre – DIFC.
  • how to get there? take the red metro line to Emirates Towers Metro Station and walk for about 10 minutes to DIFC Gate Village.
  • how long does it take to get there? approximately 21 minutes.
  • Not open to the public.

10. Masjid Al Rahim Mosque

Masjid Al Rahim is located at the back of the majestic cityscape of the Dubai Marina. The structure is adorned with a huge dome and has a façade facing the waters of the waterfront bordered by a waterfall.

It is open to worshippers only and has a library and a school where the Qur’an is studied.

Important Information

  • where is it located? at the southern end of Dubai Marina Walk
  • how to get there? you can take the red metro line to Dubai Marina Mall station.
  • how long does it take to get there? approximately 49 minutes.
  • Not open to the public.

Dress code in the mosques

Vestimenta Tradicional en Dubai | ©Michael Coghlan
Traditional Dress in Dubai | ©Michael Coghlan

First and foremost, these mosques are centres of worship, so they are held in high esteem by the locals. For some tourists, their architectural beauty is also very important. Whatever your beliefs, the most important thing is respect for difference, respect for sacred places. So, when visiting these places, dress appropriately.

For example, women should ideally wear a skirt and long-sleeved shirt, and cover their hair with a headscarf.

For men, they should not wear shorts (above the knees) and shirts should be long-sleeved. Some mosques have garment rental services. Both men and women are required to remove their shoes.

FAQ

How many mosques are in Dubai?

Dubai has 1,418 mosques. Here you are the most interesting ones.

Can you visit mosques in Dubai?

You can visit some of them, but most of the mosques are “only for Muslims”.

Can you wear jeans to Grand Mosque?

Long sleeve jeans are allowed, but not shorts.