Dubai sees the collaboration of IACAD and Parkin in a smart parking initiative, aimed at simplifying access to mosques throughout the city.
Dubai's Largest Parking Provider Partners with IACAD for Mosque Parking Management
In a significant move to improve mosque parking in Dubai, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) has entered a strategic partnership with Parkin Company PJSC, the city's largest paid public parking provider.
Under the terms of the agreement, Parkin will operate and manage around 2,100 parking spaces across 59 mosque sites in Dubai on behalf of IACAD. The parking spaces will be divided into two zones: Zone M (standard) and Zone MP (premium).
During prayer times, worshippers will be provided with free parking for one hour to ease access and improve the religious experience. Outside prayer hours, parking will be chargeable 24/7. The charges vary between zones and peak and off-peak hours.
Zone M charges AED 2 for half an hour and AED 4 for one hour, while Zone MP charges AED 3 for half an hour and AED 6 for one hour during peak hours. Off-peak hours see a reduction in charges to AED 2 for half an hour and AED 4 for one hour in Zone M, and AED 2 for half an hour and AED 4 for one hour in Zone MP.
The service is set to commence in August 2025, marking a milestone in the delivery of smart and proactive services to the community. The collaboration aims to ensure fair and efficient use of mosque parking, enhance worshippers' access during prayer, and improve overall mosque accessibility and environment monitoring.
H.E. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD, stated that the partnership reflects Dubai's efforts to deliver smart and inclusive city services. Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, has noted that the collaboration improves accessibility to mosque parking areas.
This partnership expands Parkin's total private parking portfolio to 20,800 spaces, and it sets a precedent for further collaborations focused on public convenience and urban efficiency. Future expansions of the partnership are being considered to cover additional mosque sites within IACAD's portfolio.
The partnership is structured under a revenue-sharing agreement, and it aims to prevent misuse of mosque parking areas by non-visitors. Dubai's vision for smart, inclusive city services is supported by this partnership, which strategically enhances mosque parking management, offering a mix of free parking during prayers and paid options outside prayer times while covering a broad zone network across Dubai’s mosques.
- The partnership between IACAD and Parkin Company will continue to develop in the future, considering further expansions to cover additional mosque sites within IACAD's portfolio.
- The collaboration between the government department, IACAD, and Parkin Company aims to ensure fair and efficient use of mosque parking, enhancing worshippers' access during prayer and improving overall mosque accessibility and environment monitoring.
- The revenue generated from the partnership's mosque parking management, offering a mix of free parking during prayers and paid options outside prayer times, aligns with Dubai's vision for smart, inclusive city services that prioritize public convenience and urban efficiency.
