Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque was named among the world's most talked-about attractions this week.
Users of the popular travel website TripAdvisor top-rated the iconic mosque which welcomed 4.685 million visitors in 2012.
The mosque joined a line-up of 16 global attractions including the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Table Mountain in Cape Town and Central Park in New York. "To be included in a list of some of the world's most renowned attractions, and to be voted there by our visitors, is a significant recognition of both the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's beauty, the work of everyone involved in promoting it, and the appreciation of the culture of Abu Dhabi," said Yousif Al Obaidli, director of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.
Insider spoke with residents of Abu Dhabi to ask their opinion on the capital's biggest tourist draws.
Emirati Menea Al Ahbabi, 35 said: "Sheikh Zayed Mosque attracts most of the tourists to Abu Dhabi because of its amazing beauty."
Al Ahbabi said he also takes visitors to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet adding that many tourists enjoy checking out the natural cave system through the mountain at the border with Oman. He added: "The mountains are beautiful and offer an impressive view over the city."
Somali expat Hamza Ibrahim described Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as a 'really amazing building'.
He said: "I have never visited any of its kind before."
Indian businessman, Sindi Mohan usually takes visitors to Yas Island. He explained: "It's a cool place with beautiful scenery and hotels. Though still under development, my people like the place."
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world's most impressive modern Islamic architectural masterpieces.
Fitted with seven chand-eliers that have over a million Swarovski crystals, its floor is adorned with one of the world's largest prayer carpets, hand-knitted by 1,200 weavers in Iran.
© 7Days 2013
