Fiji President Tours Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Exploring UAE's Architectural Marvels

Fiji's President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, marking another diplomatic engagement at one of the UAE's most significant cultural landmarks. The visit highlights the mosque's growing role as a bridge for interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange between nations.

The Fijian delegation, accompanied by Chargé d'Affaires Sanaila Laqai, toured the mosque's halls and courtyards with Dr. Youssef Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center. Al Obaidli explained the mosque's founding history and its civilizational message promoting coexistence, tolerance, and openness to others - values rooted in the legacy of the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed.

The center plays a major role in introducing visitors to Islamic culture and strengthening cultural communication between different cultures and peoples worldwide. This mission has become increasingly important as the UAE positions itself as a global hub for tolerance and interfaith understanding.

Cultural tour specialist Hamad Al Balushi provided detailed explanations about the mosque's architectural beauty and the intricate Islamic arts displayed throughout the structure. The mosque showcases the finest achievements of Islamic civilization across different eras, bringing together diverse artistic styles and engineering designs that reflect the harmony and unity possible between different cultures.

The mosque's design represents a unique blend of architectural traditions from across the Islamic world. Moroccan artisans crafted the geometric patterns, Italian companies provided the marble, and Iranian craftsmen created the carpets. This international collaboration demonstrates how cultural exchange can create something greater than the sum of its parts.

The visit concluded with the presentation of gifts reflecting the mosque's beauty, including a compass inspired by the mosque's chandeliers and a copy of the book "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Flow of Peace." The book features award-winning photographs from the "Spaces of Light" competition, taking readers on a visual journey through the mosque's architectural splendor.

Such diplomatic visits serve multiple purposes beyond cultural appreciation. They strengthen bilateral ties between nations and showcase the UAE's soft power approach to international relations. For smaller nations like Fiji, these exchanges provide opportunities to deepen relationships with major economic partners in the Gulf region.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has become an essential stop for world leaders and dignitaries visiting the UAE. Its message of tolerance and cultural understanding aligns with the country's broader foreign policy goals of promoting stability and cooperation in an increasingly polarized world.