Dubai to introduce 24-hour paid parking at 59 mosques

Dubai: Around 2,100 parking spaces across 59 mosques in Dubai will soon be managed and operated by Parkin, the emirate’s largest public parking operator.

As part of the initiative, worshippers will be offered one hour of free parking during prayer times, while 24-hour paid parking will apply outside these hours. The phased rollout of this new system is expected to begin in August.

How the mosque parking system will work

The 59 mosque sites will be divided into two parking zone categories:

• Zone M (Standard) – 41 locations

• Zone MP (Premium) – 18 locations

Outside of designated prayer times, all parking spaces will be chargeable 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, worshippers will be able to use these spaces free of charge for up to one hour during prayer time.

The parking zones will be clearly marked, and signage is expected to inform visitors of applicable charges and prayer time exemptions.

Parking tariff for Dubai mosques

Standard Parking Tariff (M)

• For 30 minutes – Dh2

• For one hour – Dh4

Premium Parking Tariff (MP)

For 30 minutes

• Peak hours – Dh3

• Off peak hours – Dh2

For one hour

• Peak hours – Dh6

• Off peak hours – Dh4

Strategic partnership between Parkin and IACAD

The announcement follows a strategic partnership signed on Thursday, July 31, between Parkin and the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), the government authority responsible for overseeing mosques, Islamic affairs, and charitable activities in Dubai.

According to both Parkin and IACAD, the initiative aims to ease the challenge of finding parking during prayer, improve access to mosques at all times, and enhance the overall religious experience for worshippers.

“This agreement reflects our strong commitment to providing a comprehensive parking service around mosques,” said H.E. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD. “It 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.”

A step towards better mosque access

Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said the initiative is designed to prioritise the needs of the community.

“This pioneering initiative between Parkin and IACAD prioritises community needs by enabling wider accessible parking while reducing misuse by non-visitors,” he said. “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.”

Mr. Mohammed Musbeh Dhahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Work Sector at IACAD, described the partnership as a key milestone in the department’s broader efforts.

“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,” he said.

The initiative may eventually expand to cover additional mosques under IACAD’s portfolio, further supporting the goal of ensuring equitable and efficient access to places of worship across the city.