Coming Soon: Get One Hour Of Free Parking Near Mosques With This New Initiative In Dubai

In a groundbreaking move, the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has joined forces with Parkin Company PJSC, Dubai's leading provider of paid public parking facilities. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in leveraging parking solutions to improve religious and communal experiences in Dubai.

The initiative will see Parkin managing approximately 2,100 parking spaces across 59 locations in Dubai under a revenue-sharing model with IACAD. This strategic partnership, set to commence operationally in August 2025, aims at making parking more accessible to worshippers, especially during prayer times, by offering free parking for one hour. Furthermore, this venture will expand Parkin's portfolio, increasing its private parking spaces to around 20,800.

The agreement delineates the parking zones into two categories: Zone M (standard) and Zone MP (premium). Except for the one-hour free parking during prayer times, these spaces will be chargeable around the clock, every day. The distribution of these zones includes 41 in Zone M and 18 in Zone MP, ensuring a wide coverage across the city.

This collaboration represents the first of its kind between IACAD and Parkin. It is focused on streamlining the parking process for mosque visitors, thereby improving their overall religious experience. Through this partnership, both entities aspire to address the parking challenges faced during prayer times, ensure easier access to mosques at all times, and enhance the spiritual journey for worshippers in Dubai. The potential for future expansion could see this initiative embracing more mosques within IACAD’s jurisdiction.

Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, highlighted the community-centric nature of this initiative, stating, "This pioneering initiative between Parkin and IACAD prioritises community needs by enabling wider accessible parking while reducing misuse by non-visitors. We are targeting to introduce this measure during August and look forward to how this collaboration will enhance the worshipper experience, streamlining parking efficiency around mosques."

Mohammed Musbeh Dhahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Work Sector at IACAD, also emphasized the importance of this partnership in supporting the Department's goals. He noted, "This collaboration is a significant addition that supports the Department's efforts to enhance the enforcement and supervision system of mosques by improving access efficiency to their facilities, monitoring maintenance activities, and ensuring the readiness of their surrounding environment."

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD, underscored the strategic partnership's role in advancing mosque services and the religious life quality in Dubai. He expressed, "The signing of this agreement reflects our strong commitment to providing a comprehensive parking service around mosques, one that enhances the experience of worshippers during and beyond prayer times, while also supporting Dubai government's vision of delivering smart, proactive mobility services that cater to the needs of all segments of society."

This partnership not only aims to facilitate better access to mosques but also aligns with Dubai's vision of delivering smart, proactive mobility services. It underscores a shared commitment to enhancing the quality of religious life and supporting the needs of the community. As this initiative unfolds, it promises to bring about significant improvements in the worshipper experience, making it a noteworthy development in the city’s religious and civic landscape.