Trump showed a gesture of respect at the mosque – Rezazade

During his visit to Abu Dhabi, US President Donald Trump visited a mosque for the first time in his term, one of the largest in the world, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The move was an unexpected gesture from a politician whose career has been marked by accusations of Islamophobia and divisive rhetoric. However, as noted by international public administration expert and first vice president of the Iranian opposition in Washington, Ali Reza Rezazade, there is more pragmatism than cultural openness in this act.

“This is not just a polite visit. This is a strategic demonstration of flexibility – a signal to partners in the region that even Trump is ready to put aside prejudices for the sake of profitable agreements,” the expert believes.

During the visit, Trump wore socks, as required by the rules of the shrine, and admired the architecture. He did not hide his surprise that for him, for the first time in history, the mosque was closed for a day. “This is a great honor for the United States,” the president said.

The trip to the mosque took place against the backdrop of his tour of the Persian Gulf, where Trump has consistently demonstrated loyalty to Arab monarchs — in particular, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he called “an incredible person.” Positive words were also spoken about Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist militant, and the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

As Rezazade emphasizes, this diplomatic move may be an attempt to compensate for the inconsistent US position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On the one hand, there is demonstrative support for Israel, on the other, a desire to maintain contact with the Arab world.

“This is a game on several boards. Trump is trying to maintain control over alliances in the region, while not limiting himself in domestic rhetoric. His behavior is an example of how political expediency can override even long-standing ideological antagonisms,” explains Ali Reza Rezazade.

Despite the controversial nature of the visit, many observers consider it an important signal: the United States is interested in a new format for relations with the Middle East, where elements of demonstrative respect can serve as a tool for achieving strategic goals.