Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday began his two-day trip to the UAE by visiting the historic Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque, the world’s third largest.
After his arrival, PM Modi, on first public engagement in Abu Dhabi, visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a key place of worship in the UAE and known as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
The mosque is third largest in the world after the ones in Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia.
It is named after the founder and first President of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The mosque can accommodate around 40,000 people. The mosque was constructed from 1996 to 2007.
Later, PM Modi visited ICAD Residential City – where he interacted with Indian workers.
The first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE in 34 years, PM Modi was earlier received by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi along with his five brothers at the airport, in a departure from protocol.
On his arrival in Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence that his visit to the UAE will strengthen bilateral ties.
In his tweet, the Prime Minister also thanked the crown prince of UAE for the grand reception at the airport.
“I am very optimistic about this visit. I am confident the outcomes of the visit will boost India-UAE ties. I deeply appreciate kind gesture of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who received me at the airport” PM Modi tweeted on Sunday.