Dubai launches 24-hour mosque parking with free hour during prayers
New smart initiative expands Parkin’s portfolio to nearly 21,000 private parking spaces
DUBAI: A strategic partnership between the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) and Parkin Company PJSC is set to transform parking access around mosques in Dubai.
The initiative will see the introduction of 24-hour paid parking around 59 mosque sites across the emirate, with worshippers benefiting from one-hour free parking during designated prayer times.
Parkin, Dubai’s largest provider of public paid parking services, will manage and operate approximately 2,100 parking bays under a revenue-sharing agreement. The operational rollout is targeted to begin in August 2025, marking a significant move to streamline access to mosques and reduce parking misuse by non-visitors. Of the 59 designated mosque locations, 41 will fall under Zone M (standard) and 18 under Zone MP (premium).
Zone designation
Zone M spaces will be priced at Dh2 for 30 minutes and Dh4 for one hour. Premium MP zones will charge Dh2 for 30 minutes and Dh4 for an hour during off-peak times, and Dh3 and Dh6 respectively during peak hours. However, all visitors to the mosques will be entitled to park free for one hour during official prayer timings, regardless of the zone category.
This move expands Parkin’s private parking portfolio to approximately 20,800 spaces and aligns with the emirate’s smart mobility strategy. Outside of prayer periods, parking in these mosque zones will remain chargeable around the clock, seven days a week.
Smart service integration
Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said the collaboration prioritises community needs by enabling wider, more accessible parking while reducing unauthorised use. “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,” he stated.
The new system is part of Parkin’s broader operations, which include managing around 209,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai as of Q1 2025. This includes approximately 19,000 developer-owned bays and ticketless, barrier-free systems at major retail venues such as Majid Al Futtaim malls.
Enhancing worship experience
Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD, highlighted that the partnership signals a new phase of service quality around mosques. He affirmed the goal is to improve both access and the religious experience of worshippers in line with Dubai Government’s vision of proactive and inclusive public services.
Mohammed Musbeh Dhahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Work Sector at IACAD, added that the collaboration supports monitoring and maintenance efforts around mosque facilities, ensuring readiness of their surrounding environment. There is also potential to expand the initiative to additional mosque sites managed by the Department.