President of Zimbabwe visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Emmerson Mnangagwa is given a tour of the mosque and told of its history, design and Islamic art features

President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Wam

President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe visited Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on Sunday as part of his state visit to the UAE.

Accompanied by Dr Yousif Al Obaidli, director general of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Mr Mnangagwa visited the tomb of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed.

Mr Mnangagwa was given a tour of the mosque and told of its history, design and Islamic art features, by one of the centre’s cultural tour specialists.

Dr Al Obaidli gave Mr Mnangagwa a copy of Spaces of Light, a book of the winning photographs for the Spaces of Light photography award, organised annually by the Centre in celebration of mosque's aesthetic beauty, and a book about places of worship in Islamic history.

Mr Mnangagwa arrived in the UAE on Saturday when he met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The two leaders met in the capital to discuss mutual opportunities relating to investment and economy. They also exchanged views on regional and international affairs.

Sheikh Mohamed hosted a dinner banquet in honour of the state guest and his accompanying delegation.

Zimbabwe's Information Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that Mr Mnangagwa would be cutting his state visit short to return home and ensure he is involved in the national response to Cyclone Idai, which has reportedly killed at least 31 people after moving into the eastern part of the country from Mozambique.

The UAE extended its condolences to those affected by the cyclone. Mr Mnangagwa’s Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba met with leaders of the UAE’s Red Crescent to discuss Zimbabwe’s needs in the wake of the disaster.

The Red Crescent will assess the cyclone’s impact on Zimbabwe to understand its needs and dispatch a team to assist the country in the coming days, reported state news agency, Wam.