Mosques are sacred places of worship for Muslims. As such, visitors are expected to act according to proper decorum and to adhere to a conservative dress code. More so if you are visiting one of the most famous and iconic mosques in the United Arab Emirates and the world: the Sheikh Zhayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
There are some things to remember but here's a couple that really stuck with me.
1) Couples are not allowed to engage in any Public Display of Affection. The UAE is, in general, a very conservative country. So, as a sign of respect, please do follow their custom. This applies for married couples and those in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. Same sex, too. :) Please avoid holding hands, embracing each other, kissing, petting, and such.
2) Both men and women should dress appropriately. To be on the safe side, avoid showing any skin. This means no sleeveless tops, shorts, short skirts, etc. Skinny pants and leggings are also not allowed as they cling to the body. Same with transparent clothing. :)
In any case, the Sheikh Zhayed Grand Mosque Center provides hijab for women. You can borrow one by presenting any ID, except for your passport and Emirates ID. This is because they are not allowed to hold on to these documents. Good thing Tita Alma had her senior citizen ID with her and that's what we used. One ID for both of us was enough, fortunately.
See image below from Sheikh Zhayed Grand Mosque Center's website:
To plan your trip better and avoid any inconveniences, give the Center a call before you go there. We called them to confirm the visiting times, which is just as well because it was different from what is posted on their website. I think they extended the visiting times on the day we went because it was a long weekend and they were expecting more visitors than usual.
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