Location found

As an alternative, the location could be another major modern mosque on the Arabian Peninsula. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat, Oman, shares a similar monumental scale, use of light-colored stone, and intricate carvings inspired by Islamic tradition. While the specific pattern in the frieze is a stronger match for the mosque in Abu Dhabi, the overall aesthetic and context are very similar, making this a plausible second option.

One of the men has small tattoos on his fingers, including what appears to be a cross. This type of tattoo is common among Coptic Christians in Egypt. This could suggest the individuals are Egyptian, and the photo was taken there. The Al-Fattah Al-Aleem Mosque in Egypt's New Administrative Capital is a modern, monumental structure with architecture that could potentially feature similar elements. However, the architectural style is a much more direct match for the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, making it more likely the individuals were tourists in Abu Dhabi.