Dubai’s tallest minaret (70m high) lords over the more than 50 small and large domes that give the city's largest mosque its distinctive silhouette. Today's building was only completed in 1998 but is, in fact, a replica of the historic house of worship from 1900. As with all Dubai mosques except Jumeirah Mosque, it’s off limits to non-Muslims.

As well as being the centre of Dubai’s religious and cultural life, the original structure also housed a kuttab (school), where children learned to recite the Quran from memory. It's opposite the Dubai Museum.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bur Dubai attractions

1. Hindi Lane

0.04 MILES

Until the completion of a new temple in Abu Dhabi in 2020, only a tiny and ageing double-shrine, tucked behind the Grand Mosque since 1958, serves the UAE…

2. Dubai Museum

0.08 MILES

The city's main historical museum charts Dubai's turbo-evolution from fishing and pearling village to global centre of commerce, finance and tourism. It…

3. Bur Dubai Souq

0.1 MILES

Dubai's oldest souq (market) flanks a central arcade canopied by an ornately carved wooden roof. Friday evenings here are especially lively, as it turns…

4. Alserkal Cultural Foundation

0.18 MILES

This nonprofit foundation runs the most dynamic cultural space in the Al Fahidi Historic District. Galleries showcasing traditional and cutting-edge works…

5. XVA Gallery

0.18 MILES

Tucked into the Al Fahidi Historic District since 2003, XVA has a knack for ferreting out top-notch up-and-comers from around the Middle East and India…

6. Coin Museum

0.19 MILES

This is a highly specialised museum which will appeal to anyone with an interest in rare and historic coins. Located near the Diwan Mosque in the Al…

7. Diwan Mosque

0.19 MILES

The distinctive ornate flat dome and slender minaret of this snowy white mosque watch over the Al Fahidi Historic District. Non-Muslims may only visit the…

8. Al Fahidi Historic District

0.19 MILES

Traffic fades to a quiet hum in the labyrinthine lanes of this nicely restored heritage area formerly known as the Bastakiya Quarter. Its narrow walking…