The Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai (IACAD) launched on September 21, 2023 the Religious Tourism Project in Dubai.
The project not only boosts Dubai’s Islamic tourism but also that of the GCC.
“The project contributes to strengthening the emirate’s position as an attraction point for international religious tourism for residents, visitors, and tourists, both Muslims and non-Muslims,” said Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri from IACAD.
Al Mansouri pointed out that the project will achieve a three to four percent jump in tourist numbers to the emirate.
Floating Mosque
It will be the first floating mosque in the world at a cost of around AED 55 million (nearly $15 million). It consists of 3 floors. Above the water surface will see 50 percent of the structure situated with its sitting areas and a coffee shop. The other 50 percent will be submerged.
The underwater deck will be for the prayer area accommodating 50-75 worshippers.
The Quranic exhibition
This will feature the journey of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Quran, where he printed thousands of copies of the holy Quran from 2000 to 2005 and distributed them around the world.
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Dubai Iftar
Organized during the holy month of Ramadan, it is a unique initiative that brings together people of different faiths, to have breakfast together before fasting later in the day.
Hala Ramadan
It is an initiative where people of different faiths gather in the new neighborhoods in Dubai under the Hala Ramadan initiative.
Quranic Park
The Quranic Park is the first-ever Quran-inspired park in the world, covering an area of 600,000 sqms.
Ramadan and Eid Market
Ramadan markets will be introduced adjacent to a few popular mosques in Dubai with the aim of welcoming Muslim and non-Muslim tourists during the Ramadan and Eid holidays.
GCC religious tourism
Hajj and Umrah are estimated to bring in around $12 billion in revenues, as part of the wider tourism sector contribution of $22.6 billion in Saudi.
The annual revenue of Hajj season alone is estimated at up to $6 billion, representing some 20 percent of the kingdom’s non-oil GDP and 7 percent of total GDP.
Outside Saudi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi attracted nearly 6 million visitors in 2017, and the numbers keep rising.
Sharjah’s Museum of Islamic Civilization is helping drive tourism in the emirate, while in Oman, the former religious center Nizwa attracts a steady stream of tourists.
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