Ramadan is one of the most important holy occasions in Islam and as the holy month comes to an end, worshipers will be planning trips to religious places for gratitude and prayers. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in the UAE, has stepped up preparations for public safety and comfort as it awaits thousands of worshipers arriving for prayers in the final nights of Ramadan. The mosque has increased readiness at all its affiliated sites: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, and Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah.
preparation for prayer
The mosque aims to provide visitors with a serene and spiritual atmosphere for daily prayers, especially during the 27th night of the holy month, when in recent years more than 70,000 people gather in a single night, given the increasing crowds of worshipers during the blessed days and nights. The Center is set to revive the spiritual rituals of the last 10 days by organizing Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers in its mosques. Tahajjud will take place daily at midnight (12:00 am) in a spiritual atmosphere, led by the mosque’s imams Idris Abkar, Yahya Eshan, Alaa Al Mijazi, Abdullah Al Baloushi and Abdulbasit Abdulsamad, in addition to being hosted by reciter Raad Al Kurdi. ‘The center continues to broadcast live prayers daily through its official YouTube channel, Instagram account and television coverage with Abu Dhabi TV and Fujairah TV.
increase in parking spaces
To facilitate access to the mosque and its affiliated sites, the Center has allocated more than 8,000 parking spaces at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, as well as 1,500 spaces for women and 60 spaces for people of determination. More parking areas are also available near Wahat Al Karama, ADNEC and Zayed Sports City. The Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain has allocated 2,176 parking spaces, of which 28 are for people of determination, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah offering more than 2,000 parking spaces. A detailed video explaining parking zones and access gates according to official maps has been posted on the centre’s social media platforms.
extended taxi service
To manage the increase in visitors, the Integrated Transport Center (ITC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport in Abu Dhabi, shared that it has intensified traffic monitoring and expanded taxi and public services during the holy month of Ramadan. To efficiently serve the increased number of visitors and worshippers, ITC has assigned the task of operating an estimated 100 taxis daily. In addition, additional vehicles have been provided during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, when the number of visitors for night prayers usually increases. Inspectors and transportation coordinators are to oversee operations at the site with dedicated pick-up and drop-off zones in coordination with mosque management.
Advanced Bus Services
To manage the normally increased traffic for this time of year in the areas surrounding the mosque, public bus services have been strengthened. It aims to make travel and navigation easier for residents and international tourists without the need for a car. Under the Ramadan plan, Route Q3 will now run larger buses with a capacity of up to 85 passengers, replacing the smaller vehicles previously used on the route, while carrying a larger number of passengers with minimal traffic. During evening hours, when visitors are more, two additional buses will be operated and approximately 60 additional trips will be made between Rabdan Bus Station and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stop. Three buses have also been allocated to take passengers from Rabdan bus station to nearby suburban areas to help reduce waiting times. 27 additional evening trips to the mosque have been added and bus routes X5, 54, 44 and 23 have been adjusted to stop directly at the mosque.
Patrolling and surveillance has been increased
ITC is monitoring the roads and signalized intersections around the mosque. With the help of its integrated traffic management system and surveillance cameras, it is keeping an eye on important areas through its traffic control room. Portable and fixed Variable Message Signs (VMS) have been installed to help motorists and visitors, while road service patrols and towing teams have to respond quickly to accidents or breakdowns. Additionally, traffic patrolling will be intensified during Iftar time and late night prayer period when crowd increases.
Allocation of other services for maximum smooth operation
Not only in terms of transportation and navigation, but the authorities have also taken initiatives to make the experience inside the mosque comfortable and memorable. The center has provided about 1,500 prayer rugs for the outdoor areas in addition to more than 30,000 disposable prayer mats around the colonnade.About 70 electric carts have been designated to transport determined people and the elderly from parking areas to prayer rooms. This is in addition to 3,515 comfortable seats and more than 50 wheelchairs for senior citizens and convalescents. To ensure the safety of children attending, the Center provides identification wristbands at all information points to reach their parents if needed. Finally, ambulances, a field hospital and civil defense teams have also been deployed at the site to deal with emergencies, if any. Officials noted that all these measures are aimed at ensuring a seamless experience for worshipers visiting the mosque, which is known for hosting the largest Ramadan prayer gatherings in the UAE.