Trump visits Grand Mosque in UAE, calls it an “incredible culture”
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In a notable moment during his Middle East diplomatic tour, U.S. President Donald Trump paid his first known visit to a mosque while in office, touring the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
The white marble landmark, renowned for its expansive domes and intricate floral inlays, was closed to the public for the day in honour of Trump’s visit. He was guided through the mosque by Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Observing local customs, Trump removed his shoes before entering and expressed awe at the architectural grandeur.
"This is so beautiful. What an incredible culture," Trump said, according to The Washington Post. He also appeared touched by the mosque’s special closure for his visit. "This is the first time they've closed it for a whole day? That’s a big deal. I’d like to think it’s in honour of the United States, more than just me."
Trump’s stop in the UAE follows ceremonial receptions in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as part of a broader diplomatic outreach. He was greeted with full honours, including Arabian horses and formal guard parades. Notably, Trump has personal business ties in the region, with several Trump-branded real estate and golf projects underway across the Gulf.
The visit is being seen as an effort by Trump to present a more nuanced image in the Muslim world, despite his earlier controversial remarks. During his 2016 campaign, he proposed surveillance of mosques and questioned their role in spreading extremism. However, his tone has shifted in recent years. At a White House iftar in March, he acknowledged, “The Muslim community was there for us in November. And while I’m president, I will be there for you.”
Trump’s relationship with UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was strengthened during his administration, particularly after the country normalised ties with Israel in 2020—a move that Trump’s team helped broker.
This visit also echoes a rare tradition among American presidents. While visits to churches are common, visits to mosques are far less so. President Eisenhower helped inaugurate a mosque in Washington, D.C., in 1957, and President George W. Bush visited the same mosque shortly after 9/11. President Obama also visited a Baltimore-area mosque in 2016, a move that Trump criticised at the time.
Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner had previously visited the same mosque in 2020 during their time as senior White House advisers.