Abu Dhabi, January 28, 2026 – The Europe Today: President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi as part of his official engagements in the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by Italy’s Ambassador to the UAE, Lorenzo Fanara, and a delegation.
The Italian President and his delegation were received by Dr. Yousif Abdallah Alobaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, who accompanied them on a guided tour of the mosque’s halls and courtyards. During the visit, Dr. Alobaidli briefed the delegation on the history of the mosque and its cultural and humanitarian message, which promotes coexistence, tolerance, and openness—values deeply rooted in the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Dr. Alobaidli also highlighted the centre’s efforts in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and enhancing mutual understanding among civilizations worldwide through various cultural and educational initiatives.
Cultural tour specialist Aisha Alrushdi provided an overview of the mosque’s artistic and architectural features, showcasing outstanding examples of Islamic art and design from different eras. The tour illustrated the harmonious integration of diverse architectural styles within the mosque, reflecting the beauty of cultural unity and creative expression.
President Mattarella and his delegation also paid a visit to the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, where they reflected on his wisdom and vision for peace, tolerance, and coexistence—principles that continue to shape the cultural identity of the United Arab Emirates.
At the conclusion of the visit, President Mattarella was presented with a commemorative gift symbolizing the mosque’s artistic beauty, along with a copy of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace. The publication highlights the mosque’s distinctive architectural style and offers a visual journey through its artistic and engineering excellence, featuring award-winning photographs from the “Spaces of Light” competition.
