Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Ready for Ramadan with 580 Volunteers

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre has completed all preparations to welcome worshippers and visitors during the holy month of Ramadan as part of a nationwide Ramadan initiative.

His Excellency Dr Yousef Al Obaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, held a coordination meeting with strategic partners to strengthen collaboration and ensure smooth delivery of Ramadan services. He highlighted the importance of teamwork between government entities to make the initiative successful.

Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers with live broadcast

The centre confirmed that Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers will be held daily in a spiritual atmosphere. The prayers will be led by the mosque’s imams Idris Abkar, Yahya Eshan, Alaa Al-Mizjaji, Abdullah Al-Balushi, and Abdulbasit Abdulsamad, along with guest reciter Raad Al-Kurdi.

The centre has also coordinated with Abu Dhabi TV to broadcast the prayers live every day throughout Ramadan.

Religious, cultural and humanitarian Ramadan programmes

During Ramadan, the mosque will continue offering programmes that highlight Islamic values and humanitarian messages. These include the release of religious content series focused on the meanings and virtues of Ramadan.

The centre will also continue its annual ‘Jusoor’ programme, which hosts Ramadan gatherings to promote cultural dialogue and strengthen understanding among different communities.

In addition, the mosque will launch the second season of the ‘Diyaa’ photography competition under the theme ‘Ramadan at the Mosque’, as an extension of the Spaces of Light Photography Award. More details about other cultural and humanitarian initiatives will be announced later.

Daily iftar meals and weekly food packages

The centre will continue its annual ‘Our Fasting Guests’ initiative, held in memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The initiative is sponsored by Erth Zayed Philanthropies and implemented with its strategic partner Erth Abu Dhabi Hotel.

Under this programme, daily iftar meals will be served inside the mosque premises. In addition, the centre will supply weekly integrated food packages to the Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) to support preparation of daily iftar meals for beneficiaries from different communities.

580 volunteers and 24/7 service teams

To manage the Ramadan season, the centre has formed specialised committees and task forces with more than 580 volunteers. These include mosque staff and selected volunteers, along with police officers, paramedics, civil defence personnel, and support teams.

The teams will operate continuously from dawn to dawn under the centre’s value: “We Volunteer to Give Back to Our Homeland.”

All gates open, 8,000 parking spaces arranged

To ensure smooth access for the growing number of guests, the mosque has opened all gates and entrances.

More than 8,000 parking spaces have been provided, including:

• 1,500 spaces for women

• Over 60 spaces for People of Determination

• 1,800 additional spaces along Al Jami' Al Kabeer Street next to the mosque

The centre is coordinating with Mawaqif (Integrated Transport Centre) and the Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrols Directorate to manage traffic and pedestrian movement around the mosque.

Iftar cannon, Ramadan market, and cultural experiences

Visitors will be able to witness the traditional iftar cannon at the mosque or watch it through daily broadcasts on Abu Dhabi Media Network. In cooperation with supporting units from the Ministry of Defence, the cannon will be fired at the beginning of Ramadan and every sunset to mark iftar time.

The centre will also offer a Ramadan market featuring 22 kiosks in the mosque’s northern and southern plazas. Cultural services will also be available at the Dome of Peace and Souq Al Jami, which includes shops and restaurants.

Tours after prayers and electric transport

After prayer times, the mosque will resume receiving visitors for cultural tours, including guided tours and the ‘Sura’ experience, following the Ramadan schedule.

To support visitor movement, electric vehicle transport services will operate between prayer halls, the Dome of Peace, and Souq Al Jami.

Comfort and safety arrangements for all guests

The centre has fully prepared facilities to ensure comfort during Ramadan, including:

• Deployment of more than 70 electric vehicles

• Installation of over 1,480 carpets in courtyards and arcades

• Extensive cleaning and maintenance works

• Installation of more than 160 partitions in women’s prayer areas for privacy

• Availability of 3,515 comfortable seats

• More than 50 wheelchairs for senior citizens and People of Determination

Water bottles will be distributed through dedicated service robots, and guests will be welcomed daily with Emirati hospitality, including premium oud incense throughout the mosque halls.

Support services, medical readiness, and public updates

The centre has increased call centre staffing, deployed mobile information points, and will provide children with safety wristbands. Medical emergency preparations include fully equipped ambulances in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Civil Defence.