Albanian president visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi

President Bajram Begaj and his delegation toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, receiving briefings on its history and role in promoting tolerance and cross‑cultural dialogue.

Diplomatic visit underscores cultural ties

President Bajram Begaj of the Republic of Albania visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on 16 September 2026, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Armanda Begaj, and a diplomatic delegation. The party included Dr Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE Non‑resident Ambassador to Albania, and Ridi Kurtezi, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the UAE.

They were welcomed by Dr Yousif Abdallah Alobaidli, Director‑General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, who guided the delegation through the mosque’s halls and courtyards. Dr Alobaidli outlined the history of the mosque and its cultural mission, emphasising its message of coexistence, tolerance and openness, values inspired by the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father.

Architecture, art and dialogue

Cultural tour specialist Hamad Albaloushi provided an overview of the mosque’s artistic and architectural features. The tour highlighted examples of Islamic art and design from across ages and regions, showing how diverse styles have been brought together within the mosque’s fabric to reflect cultural unity and creativity.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre’s briefings also underlined its work in fostering cross‑cultural dialogue and enhancing understanding between civilisations. The visit formed part of broader diplomatic engagement between Albania and the UAE, signalling the role of cultural institutions in underpinning bilateral ties.

The Albanian delegation visited the mausoleum of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reflecting on his vision for peace and the enduring influence of his values on the UAE’s culture of tolerance and coexistence.

As a mark of the visit, the guest was presented with a commemorative gift embodying the mosque’s artistic character along with a copy of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Lights of Peace, a publication that showcases the mosque’s distinctive architectural style and features award‑winning photographs from the Spaces of Light competition.

The visit illustrates how state visits to Abu Dhabi’s cultural landmarks continue to serve as a platform for diplomatic exchange and for promoting mutual understanding through heritage and the arts.

Source: WAM