Looking at planning a trip to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque while you’re in Abu Dhabi?
It is the city’s number one attraction for many fabulous reasons. However, many tourists’ first question or concern is about the appropriate dress code when entering a religious building in a Muslim country.
Whilst you should always look to dress respectfully as a tourist in the UAE, religious buildings require particularly strict attention to what you are wearing and how you behave.
If you would like a full guide on what to expect when you visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, check out this post. Here, we will discuss dress standards and expected behaviour.
What to Wear to the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque warmly welcomes visitors of all backgrounds, with dress code guidelines in place for both Muslims and non-Muslims to preserve the sanctity of the mosque.
If a visitor’s clothing does not meet the dress code standards, staff will politely guide them to make the necessary adjustments before entering. In the rare case that a visitor chooses not to comply, entry may be declined.
But fear not! If you are not wearing the appropriate attire for the Grand Mosque, the necessary items can be purchased before you enter. Here’s how you should dress inside the Grand Mosque:
Dress Code for Women at the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque
- You must have your arms and legs completely covered.
- Your hair must be completely covered.
- The only skin that can show is your hands, feet, and face.
- If you are not properly dressed (don’t worry, this applies to most tourists), you will need to stop at the small souk attached to the Mosque and buy a fairly inexpensive Abaya (which covers your body) and Shayla (which covers your head). This is all part of the experience so embrace it!
- Please don’t think this means you should wear the skimpiest outfit underneath! You will still be lining up with other Muslim tourists, and respect should be shown throughout your visit to Abu Dhabi.
Update: Since COVID days, they no longer offer the free hire of abayas and Shaylas due to health regulations. Many websites still incorrectly suggest this is an option but it has not been offered since pre 2020.
Dress Code for Men at the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque
- Men should have long trousers with legs completely covered
- Men must wear shirt sleeves (at least elbow length), no tank tops.
- If men are wearing shorts, they will be asked to buy an appropriate covering from the souk [As above, the option to hire a kandura for free was removed during COVID].
- Avoid skin-tight or transparent clothing and any clothing with profanity.
Shoes inside the Grand Mosque
If you don’t want to walk around inside the Mosque’s Grand Hall in bare feet, make sure you bring your nicest socks! Shoes are left outside on a shoe rack, so remember where you left them.
Dress Code for Children at the Grand Mosque
Children visiting the mosque are expected to dress modestly in line with the sanctity of the site. In some cases, older girls may be kindly requested to wear additional covering, such as an abaya and shayla, in keeping with the mosque’s dress code. There is no specific age restriction.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Timings
It’s essential to plan your trip around the Grand Mosque’s opening hours, which are often adjusted for religious occasions:
- Saturday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 – 12:00 PM, reopens 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Last admissions at 9:30 PM
Timings are always subject to change in the UAE and hours will vary for Ramadan and other religious occasions – please consult the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center for current information, including FREE guided tour times.
You can find this year’s guide to the Grand Mosque Ramadan open times here.
Entry Fee for the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Entry to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is always free of charge, with optional cultural tours and premium services available to enhance the visitor experience.
To save time, you can register your visit in advance, but note that you are not obligated to do this; you can register on entry.
We discuss the optional cultural tours and premium services in more detail over here.
More Guides to Visiting Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- You can learn more about visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque coming from Dubai on a day trip here.
- Have you got an overnight stopover in Abu Dhabi? Did you know that the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi now offers night tours (for a small fee, you need to pre-register)
- Grab all our photography tips for the Grand Mosque to plan your visit perfectly
- Learn more about getting around within Abu Dhabi here
- We have more tips on free places to visit in Abu Dhabi here
We hope you enjoy your visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, undoubtedly one of the cultural highlights of the United Arab Emirates, not to be missed off your itinerary.
More Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque FAQ’s
Previously, if you were underdressed for entry into the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque, it was free to hire an abaya or kandura. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the free rental option has been removed. Should security staff deem your clothing inappropriate, some small shops at Souk Al Jami are on-site to buy some relatively inexpensive items to meet the requirements.
Yes, jeans fully covering the legs of both males and females are an acceptable dress for the Grand Mosque.
Open-toed footwear is acceptable for both males and females, as long as ankle-length clothing is worn. The ankle must be completely covered.
Note that all footwear is removed before walking inside the carpeted area of the mosque.
The instructions are to wear loose, ankle-length clothing. This can be trousers or flowing skirts, but a figure-hugging set of leggings won’t suffice.
You must put a full-length abaya over the top of your leggings to meet the Grand Mosque dress code in Abu Dhabi. Note that the abaya must not be transparent in any way.
Your Hijab or Shayla needs to be firmly placed around your head. Staff are on hand to assist you in getting this right.
Worried about etiquette in the UAE and staying in line with local Islamic laws as a tourist? Let us put your mind at ease with our guide to Abu Dhabi Rules – the Do’s and Don’ts all tourists should observe.
Before you go… Important Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page; it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack, as well as top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Start planning your itinerary around the 60+ top places to visit in Abu Dhabi
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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Please note we are not a travel agency. This site is a travel blog to help newcomers to the UAE self plan their trip, we cannot book your flights, hotels, visas or connections for you. We may make a commission if you click on any of our hotel or tour recommendation links.
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