Trump Makes Historic Mosque Visit in Abu Dhabi
On May 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, marking his first visit to a mosque as president. The visit was part of a high-profile Gulf tour aimed at strengthening ties with Middle Eastern allies.
Welcomed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Trump toured the iconic white-marble mosque, one of the world’s largest. The visit drew attention due to Trump’s past policies and statements on Islam, making it a significant moment of cultural diplomacy.
Background of the Visit
Trump’s trip to Abu Dhabi was the final stop of a four-day Middle East tour that included Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a symbol of cultural inclusiveness since its 2007 opening, was closed for the first time in history for Trump’s visit, highlighting its diplomatic weight.
Accompanied by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan and mosque director Yousif Al Obaidli, Trump walked the mosque’s halls in socks, respecting Islamic customs. He praised the mosque’s beauty, calling it “an incredible culture” and noting the honor of the closure.
The visit contrasted with Trump’s first term, when he issued a 2017 travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, a policy critics labeled a “Muslim ban.”
Why Was Trump in Abu Dhabi?
Trump’s visit to the UAE focused on deepening economic and strategic partnerships. The U.S. and UAE signed deals worth over $200 billion, including a landmark agreement to build a massive AI data center complex in Abu Dhabi with 5 gigawatts of capacity.
This project, the largest of its kind outside the U.S., aims to advance artificial intelligence and support American companies in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Trump also attended a state dinner at Qasr Al Watan palace and met with business leaders to discuss defense deals and energy investments, such as a $4 billion aluminum smelter project in Oklahoma.
The UAE, a key ally with normalized ties to Israel, plays a pivotal role in Middle East geopolitics, making it a strategic stop for Trump’s global agenda.
Has Trump Never Visited a Mosque Before?
This appears to be Trump’s first mosque visit as president, a notable gesture given his political history. In 2016, Trump said, “I think Islam hates us,” and his travel ban fueled perceptions of anti-Muslim sentiment. The Abu Dhabi visit, where he expressed admiration for Islamic culture, suggests a shift in tone, likely driven by diplomatic and economic goals.
Posts on social media noted the irony, with some calling it a surprising move for a leader once associated with divisive rhetoric. While it’s unclear if Trump visited mosques privately before, no public record exists of such visits during his first term or campaign years. The mosque tour was a carefully orchestrated moment to signal openness to Muslim allies.
Evidently, this appears to be Trump’s first mosque visit as president—a notable gesture, especially given his political history. Back in 2016, Trump remarked, “I think Islam hates us,” and his travel ban fueled perceptions of anti-Muslim sentiment. Therefore, the Abu Dhabi visit, where he expressed admiration for Islamic culture, suggests a shift in tone, likely driven by diplomatic and economic goals.
Meanwhile, posts on social media noted the irony, with some calling it a surprising move for a leader once associated with divisive rhetoric. While it remains unclear if Trump visited mosques privately before, there is no public record of such visits during his first term or campaign years. Overall, the mosque tour was a carefully orchestrated moment meant to signal openness to Muslim allies.
Former U.S. Presidents Who Visited Mosques
Few U.S. presidents have made official mosque visits, making Trump’s trip rare. Former President George W. Bush visited the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., in 2001, days after the 9/11 attacks, to promote unity and condemn anti-Muslim hatred.
Former President Barack Obama visited the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo in 2009 during a speech aimed at improving U.S.-Muslim relations. No records confirm a U.S. president visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque before Trump, though the UAE has hosted other leaders at the site.
Trump’s visit, unlike those of Bush or Obama, was less about addressing global Muslim audiences and more about cementing bilateral ties with the UAE amid trade and AI discussions.
The visit, widely covered by outlets like NPR and Reuters, underscores Trump’s effort to balance past controversies with pragmatic diplomacy. As he wrapped up his Middle East tour, the mosque visit became a symbol of his administration’s focus on profit-driven partnerships and a willingness to engage with Islamic culture on a global stage.
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