In a move to mark the 54th National Day – celebrated this year as Eid Al Etihad – UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced a directive for seven newly built mosques in Abu Dhabi to bear the names of each of the nation’s seven Emirates.
The seven mosques are located in Mohamed bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. According to General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (GAIAEZ), the mosques together have a total capacity to accommodate about 6,000 worshippers.
Covering an area of roughly 12,000 square metres, the mosques reflect a design that merges Islamic art and heritage with modern architectural styles – a thoughtful blend of tradition and contemporary innovation.
Responsibility for the project has been shared by the three main entities: the Presidential Court, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, and the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi. All seven mosques are scheduled to open for worshippers in January 2026.
Unity and national identity: What the naming symbolizes
According to Dr.Omar Habtoor Al Darei – Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat -the naming initiative echoes the spirit of unity and belonging across the Emirates. The gesture is meant to instill a sense of pan-Emirati identity in future generations and reinforce the values of solidarity, brotherhood, and shared heritage.
By naming the mosques after each emirate, the leadership underscores that while each Emirate retains its unique identity, they together form the united whole of the UAE. The initiative aligns with national-integration values, especially resonant during a national celebration like Eid Al Etihad / National Day.
The project reflects the commitment of the President and UAE authorities to provide modern, well-equipped, and spiritually appropriate worship spaces – combining comfort, heritage and community values
What comes next – timeline & expectations
The seven mosques are expected to be completed and ready to receive worshippers in January 2026.
Once opened, they will serve the community of Mohamed bin Zayed City and its surroundings, catering to around 6,000 worshippers in total.
Focus on the synthesis: The architectural scheme seeks to synthesize traditional Islamic aesthetics with contemporary construction standards, thereby fostering a calm and respectable setting for religious observance and community activities.
Focus on the fusion: Concentrate on the integration; emphasize the melding; underscore the amalgamation.
The design objective is to fuse: The architectural goal is to blend; the primary aim is to merge; the design intent is to unify.
time-honored Islamic artistic principles: traditional Muslim architectural concepts; established Islamic design tenets; classic principles of Islamic art.
with modern building codes: alongside contemporary construction standards; incorporating present-day safety regulations; adhering to current structural requirements.
which promises to provide: the result of which guarantees; thereby ensuring the creation of; with the potential to offer.
a peaceful and honorable space: a serene and respectful environment; a tranquil and dignified setting; a calm and venerable area.
for worship and social interaction: for prayer and community engagement; for religious service and social gathering; for spiritual devotion and communal activity.
Focus on the integration: The building’s architecture aims for the integration of classical Islamic design elements and modern structural requirements, ensuring a tranquil and dignified atmosphere for collective gathering and spiritual practice.
More concise: The design aims to blend historic Islamic principles and modern needs, creating a harmonious and functional space for worship and community.
Descriptive emphasis: This architectural plan is intended to marry traditional Islamic patterns and forms with current construction techniques, aiming to create an atmosphere of tranquility and respect for both spiritual and communal purposes
Significance in the broader UAE context
This mosque-naming initiative comes at a time when the UAE is increasingly emphasizing national unity, identity, and cultural cohesion. The decision underlines how religious, social, and civic infrastructure is being used to reinforce symbolic unity among the Emirates.As the country celebrates the 54th National Day, the naming serves not just a functional purpose (providing new prayer spaces) but also carries symbolic weight – affirming that each Emirate remains a valued part of the federation, while collectively contributing to the country’s identity.
Moreover, the project shows how the UAE leadership continues to invest in infrastructure that combines heritage, modernity, and social-community objectives, aiming to create spaces that serve both spiritual and communal needs.
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