Ramadan is one of the most vital of the holy occasions in Islam and as the pious month comes to an end, worshippers will be planning trips to religious places for gratitude and prayers. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is the largest mosque in UAE has amped up preparations for public safety and comfort as it awaits the arrival of thousands of worshippers for prayers in the final nights of Ramadan. The mosque has enhanced readiness across all its affiliated landmarks: 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.
Preparations for prayers
The mosque aims to offer visitors a serene and spiritual atmosphere for the performance of daily prayers, considering the increasing turnout of worshippers during the blessed days and nights, especially for the 27th night of the holy month, when more than 70,000 people gathered in a single night in recent years. The centre is set to revive the spiritual rituals of the last 10 days by holding Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers at its mosques. Tahajjud will take place daily at midnight (12:00 am) in a spiritual ambience led by the mosque’s imams including Idris Abkar, Yahya Aishan, Alaa Al Mizjaji, Abdullah Al Baloushi, and Abdulbasit Abdulsamad, in addition to hosting reciter Raad Al Kurdi. ‘The centre continues to broadcast prayers live 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 landmarks, the centre has allocated more than 8,000 parking spaces at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi along with 1,500 spaces for women and over 60 spaces for People of Determination. More parking areas are also available near Wahat Al Karama, ADNEC and Zayed Sports City. Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain has allocated 2,176 parking spaces including 28 for People of Determination along with Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah offering more than 2,000 parking spaces. A detailed video explaining the parking zones and access gates as per the official maps has been posted on the centre’s social media platforms.
Expanded taxi service
To manage the surge in visitors, the Integrated Transport Centre (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 throughout the holy month of Ramadan. In order to efficiently serve the elevated number of visitors and worshippers, the ITC has assigned an estimated 100 taxis to operate daily. Moreover, additional vehicles have been made available during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, when visitor numbers typically rise for the nightly prayers. Inspectors and transport coordinators are to supervise operations on site with dedicated pick up and drop off zones having been designated in coordination with the mosque management.
Elevated bus services
In order to manage the elevated traffic that is typical for this time of year in the areas surrounding the mosque, public bus services have been reinforced. This is aimed at making travel and navigation easier for residents and international tourists alike, without needing a car. Under the Ramadan plan, Route Q3 will now operate larger buses with capacity for up to 85 passengers, replacing the smaller vehicles previously used on the route while transporting a larger number of passengers with minimum traffic. During the evening hours, when visitors are higher, two additional buses are to operate and around 60 extra trips will be executed between Rabdan Bus Station and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque stop. Three buses have also been allocated to transport passengers from Rabdan Bus Station to nearby suburban areas to help reduce waiting time. 27 additional evening trips have been added to the mosque with bus routes X5, 54, 44 and 23 being adjusted to stop directly at the mosque.
Intensified patrolling and monitoring
The ITC has been monitoring roads and signalised intersections around the mosque. With the help of its integrated traffic management system and surveillance cameras, it has been keeping an eye on vital 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 are to respond quickly to accidents or breakdowns. Additionally, traffic patrolling will be intensified during iftar hours and the late-night prayer period when crowds increase in numbers.
Allocation of other services for maximum smooth operation
Not only in terms of transport and navigation, but authorities have also made initiatives to make the experience inside the mosque comfortable and memorable as well. The centre has provided approximately 1,500 prayer rugs for outdoor areas in addition to more than 30,000 disposable prayer mats around the colonnades.Around 70 electric carts have been designated for People of Determination and the elderly to transport them from the parking areas to the prayer halls. This is in addition to 3,515 comfortable seats and more than 50 wheelchairs for senior citizens and People of Determination. To ensure the safety of attending children, the centre provides identification wristbands at all information points to reach out to their guardians when in need. Lastly, ambulances, a field hospital and civil defence teams have also been stationed on-site to respond to emergencies, if any. The authorities noted that all these measures are aimed at ensuring a smooth experience for worshippers visiting the mosque, which is known to host some of the largest Ramadan prayer gatherings in the UAE.
