24-Hour Paid Parking at Dubai Mosques Starts in August

Paid parking will be introduced at 59 mosques across Dubai starting in August, following an agreement between the Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) and Parkin, the government-owned company responsible for managing public parking across the city. The new system will see 2,100 parking spaces brought under round-the-clock paid regulation, with one hour of free parking provided to worshippers during prayer times.

The designated spaces will be divided between Zone M (standard) and Zone MP (premium), with 41 mosques falling under the standard category and 18 under the premium. In both zones, standard rates apply outside peak hour - AED 2 for 30 minutes and AED 4 for an hour - while Zone MP will charge AED 3 for 30 minutes and AED 6 for an hour during peak hours.

The initiative aims to reduce misuse of mosque parking by non-visitors and improve accessibility for worshippers. Under the revenue-sharing agreement, Parkin’s private parking portfolio will grow to 20,800 spaces. Additional mosques under IACAD may be included in future expansions.

Although the contract is expected to generate income, it is not considered financially significant in the context of Parkin’s broader operations. The company currently manages around 209,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai, including 19,000 developer-owned bays and barrierless systems at several malls. Its revenue streams include enforcement, seasonal permits, reservations, and commercial services.