Dubai’s IACAD-Parkin Deal Brings Free Mosque Parking in 2025

In a groundbreaking move to enhance the worshipper experience, the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD) in Dubai has forged a strategic partnership with Parkin Company PJSC, the emirate’s leading provider of paid public parking services. This collaboration, set to roll out in August 2025, aims to streamline parking management around mosques, ensuring free parking for worshippers during prayer times. By managing approximately 2,100 parking spaces across 59 mosques in Dubai, this initiative promises to improve accessibility, reduce congestion, and elevate the overall religious experience for residents and visitors.

The Partnership: A Milestone in Community-Centric Innovation

The IACAD-Parkin partnership marks a significant step in enhancing cooperation between government and semi-government sectors in Dubai. As the authority responsible for overseeing Islamic affairs, mosques, and charitable activities, IACAD is committed to improving the infrastructure surrounding religious sites. Partnering with Parkin, which manages over 209,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai, ensures that mosque parking facilities are utilized efficiently and fairly, particularly during prayer times.

Under the first phase of this revenue-sharing agreement, Parkin will oversee 2,100 parking spaces across 59 mosque locations in Dubai. These spaces will be categorized into Zone M (standard) and Zone MP (premium), with 41 sites designated as Zone M and 18 sites as Zone MP. The initiative prioritizes worshipper convenience by offering free parking for one hour during the five daily prayer times, addressing the common challenge of finding parking during peak religious periods. Outside prayer hours, parking will be chargeable 24/7, ensuring efficient use of spaces and reducing misuse by non-worshippers.

Enhancing the Worshipper Experience

The primary goal of this partnership is to improve accessibility to mosques and enhance the religious experience for worshippers. Finding parking during prayer times can be a significant hurdle, especially in busy urban areas. By implementing smart parking solutions, IACAD and Parkin aim to alleviate parking congestion, ensuring that worshippers can focus on their spiritual obligations without logistical stress.

H.E. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD, emphasized the partnership’s role in supporting Dubai’s vision for smart mobility. “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,” he said. The initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader goal of delivering proactive mobility services that cater to all segments of society.

Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This pioneering initiative prioritizes community needs by enabling wider accessible parking while reducing misuse by non-visitors.” The partnership not only improves parking efficiency but also sets a precedent for future collaborations aimed at enhancing community infrastructure.

How the Parking System Works

The smart parking system is designed to balance accessibility and efficiency. During prayer times, worshippers can park for free for up to one hour, ensuring hassle-free access to mosques. Outside these periods, parking will operate under a 24/7 paid system, with fees varying based on the parking zone:

• Zone M (standard): AED 2 for 30 minutes, AED 4 for one hour (41 locations).
• Zone MP (premium): AED 3 for 30 minutes, AED 6 for one hour during peak hours; AED 2 for 30 minutes, AED 4 for one hour during off-peak hours (18 locations).

This tiered pricing structure ensures that premium locations, such as those in high-demand areas, are managed effectively while maintaining affordability in standard zones. The system also incorporates smart technology, such as barrierless and ticketless parking, aligning with Dubai’s smart city initiatives.

Impact on Dubai’s Parking Landscape

The partnership significantly expands Parkin’s private parking portfolio, bringing its total to approximately 20,800 spaces. While the contract is expected to generate a modest profit, it is not anticipated to materially impact Parkin’s overall financial performance. Instead, the initiative underscores Parkin’s role as a key player in Dubai’s smart mobility ecosystem, building on its existing management of 209,000 paid parking spaces and 19,000 developer-owned spaces through other partnerships, such as with Majid Al Futtaim.

By integrating mosque parking into its portfolio, Parkin is contributing to a more organized and efficient urban environment. The initiative also addresses the issue of parking misuse, ensuring that spaces are reserved for worshippers during prayer times. This focus on community needs reflects Dubai’s commitment to balancing commercial operations with social responsibility.

Future Potential and Scalability

The IACAD-Parkin agreement is just the beginning. With phase one covering 59 mosques, there is potential to scale up the initiative to include additional mosques under IACAD’s network. This scalability could further enhance mosque accessibility across Dubai, supporting the emirate’s growing population and its status as a global hub for tourism and residency.

The partnership also sets a model for smart infrastructure projects at religious and community sites. By leveraging smart parking technology, Dubai is paving the way for innovative solutions that can be applied to other public spaces, such as community centers, schools, and cultural landmarks. This aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of becoming a leader in smart city development.

Community and Cultural Significance

The mosque parking initiative is more than a logistical improvement—it’s a testament to Dubai’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible religious environment. Mosques are central to the cultural and spiritual fabric of the UAE, serving as gathering places for worship, community events, and charitable activities. By ensuring free parking during prayer times, IACAD and Parkin are making it easier for residents and visitors to engage in these activities, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a city that values its cultural heritage.

Mohammed Musbeh Dhahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Work Sector at IACAD, highlighted the partnership’s role in enhancing mosque services. “This collaboration supports our efforts to improve access efficiency to mosque facilities, monitor maintenance activities, and ensure the readiness of their surrounding environment,” he said. The initiative also reflects Dubai’s ethos of community-centric governance, where public services are designed to meet the needs of diverse populations.

Alignment with Dubai’s Smart City Vision

Dubai’s ambition to be a global leader in smart city technology is evident in initiatives like the IACAD-Parkin partnership. By integrating smart parking solutions, the emirate is addressing urban challenges such as traffic congestion and parking scarcity while enhancing the quality of life for residents. The use of barrierless, ticketless parking systems aligns with Dubai’s goal of creating a seamless, technology-driven urban experience.

This partnership also complements other smart mobility initiatives in the UAE, such as Saudi Arabia’s pilot program for self-driving delivery vehicles, indicating a regional push toward innovative transportation solutions. By prioritizing worshipper convenience, the initiative demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to serve cultural and community needs.

Implications for Residents and Visitors

For Dubai’s residents and visitors, the mosque parking initiative offers tangible benefits. Worshippers can attend prayers without the stress of finding parking, particularly during peak times such as Friday prayers. The free one-hour parking during prayer times ensures affordability, while the 24/7 paid system outside these hours maintains order and prevents misuse of spaces.

The initiative also enhances tourist experiences, as Dubai’s mosques, such as the iconic Jumeirah Mosque, attract visitors seeking cultural and spiritual insights. By improving parking accessibility, the partnership makes it easier for tourists to explore these landmarks, contributing to Dubai’s tourism economy.

Challenges and Considerations

While the initiative is a significant step forward, challenges may arise during implementation. Ensuring that worshippers are aware of the free parking window and the associated rules will be critical to its success. Additionally, managing the transition to paid parking outside prayer times requires clear communication to avoid confusion. Parkin’s expertise in smart parking management, however, positions it well to address these challenges through technology and public awareness campaigns.

Another consideration is the potential for increased demand as the initiative gains traction. With plans to scale up to additional mosques, IACAD and Parkin must ensure that infrastructure and resources keep pace with growth.