It was a remarkable gesture for a man whose political career has been marked by intolerance and derision of Muslims, showcasing his willingness to accede to unfamiliar cultural norms to forge potentially lucrative partnerships.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, and RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — President Trump visited a mosque on Thursday — his first publicly known visit to a Muslim house of worship during his time in office.

After a morning meeting with top U.S. and Qatari officials and American defense and aerospace business leaders, Trump heads to Al-Udeid Air Base, a U.S. installation at the center of American involvement in the Middle East. There, he will address troops and is expected to view a demonstration of American air capability.