Latest news with #SheikhKhalifabinZayed
ARN News Center
10-04-2025
- General
- ARN News Center
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomes 1.9 million Ramadan guests
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre saw 1,890,144 worshippers and visitors came to the mosque during Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Among them,562,632 worshippers performed prayers at the mosque, including 193,435 for Isha and Taraweeh and 195,987 for Tahajjud. On the 27th night of Ramadan, 72,533 worshippers gathered, while 26,025 performed Eid Al-Fitr prayers. The mosque received 391,011 visitors, and over the Eid holiday, welcomed 122,819 guests including 57,629 worshippers and 64,959 visitors, who experienced the mosque's unique spiritual and cultural atmosphere. The mosque welcomed approximately 11,240 visitors daily during Ramadan. A total of 289 guided tours were conducted, attended by 4,270 visitors. Tourist companies made 6,774 bookings, covering 128,361 visitors, while 75 official delegation bookings included 1,126 visitors. The Centre also doubled the number of operators in the call centre, which received 4,436 calls. In coordination with Abu Dhabi TV, daily live prayers were aired, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. More than 2.6 million Iftar meals were distributed throughout the holy month, reflecting the values of generosity and giving. As part of its efforts during the holy month, the Centre also extended services to worshippers at Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah. At Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, the total number of worshippers during the holy month reached 290,331, including 99,746 for Isha and Taraweeh prayers, 76,491 for Tahajjud, and 32,030 for Eid Al-Fitr prayers. The mosque also distributed 442,345 Iftar meals throughout Ramadan. Meanwhile, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah welcomed 122,347 worshippers, with 61,084 attending Isha and Taraweeh, 27,662 attending Tahajjud, and 30,268 performing Eid prayers. At Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah, a total of 39,783 worshippers gathered during the month, including 19,577 for Isha and Taraweeh, 10,399 for Tahajjud, and 3,430 for Eid Al-Fitr prayers.
Arabian Business
10-04-2025
- Arabian Business
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomed nearly 2mn visitors during Ramadan, says new report
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre reported that 1,890,144 worshippers and visitors attended the mosque during Ramadan and the Eid Al-Fitr holiday this year. According to official figures, 562,632 people performed prayers at the mosque, with 193,435 attending Isha and Taraweeh prayers and 195,987 for Tahajjud, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomes millions The 27 th night of Ramadan saw 72,533 worshippers gathered at the mosque, while 26,025 performed Eid Al-Fitr prayers. The mosque received 391,011 visitors during Ramadan, and an additional 122,819 guests during the Eid holiday period. Despite Ramadan 1446 lasting only 29 days, attendance increased by over 10 percent compared to the previous year. 'The mosque welcomed approximately 11,240 visitors daily during Ramadan. A total of 289 guided tours were conducted, attended by 4,270 visitors. Tourist companies made 6,774 bookings, covering 128,361 visitors, while 75 official delegation bookings included 1,126 visitors,' the statement added. In coordination with Abu Dhabi TV, daily live prayers were broadcast, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. Charitable efforts during Ramadan The Centre's charitable efforts were substantial, with more than 2.6 million Iftar meals distributed throughout the holy month. The Our Fasting Guests initiative, sponsored by Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation in partnership with Erth Hotel, prepared 2,625,568 Iftar meals. These were distributed across multiple locations: 898,288 at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, 442,345 at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Al Ain, 1,160,000 across Abu Dhabi's labour cities, and 105,935 in various other areas of the emirate. Additionally, 19,000 Suhoor meals were distributed during the last ten nights of Ramadan to worshippers observing night prayers at the mosque. Ramadan market and events Visitors experienced the Ramadan atmosphere at the Dome of Peace and Souq Al Jami', which featured shops, restaurants, and outdoor kiosks. The Ramadan Market included 22 kiosks located across the mosque's northern and southern courtyards. The Centre implemented over 11 initiatives reflecting its religious and cultural mission, including hosting four Ramadan lectures at the Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis. In collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Zakat Fund, the Centre organised 18 lectures delivered by scholars who were guests of the UAE President. The Jusoor (Bridges) programme produced 13 episodes involving more than 1,200 participants from 13 embassies, various institutions, and mosque staff, gathering through volunteering and shared Iftar. The Centre's media presence was significant, producing over 100 media pieces that were shared by more than 700 local, regional, and international media outlets. The mosque was featured in over 3,600 news articles, visual reports, and social media posts. More than 580 volunteers supported the mosque's operations, including staff from Emirates Red Crescent, Absher Ya Watan team, Ma'an Volunteer Group, police officers, paramedics, civil defence personnel, parking attendants, and Saeed traffic systems staff. The Centre also provided services at Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain (290,331 worshippers), Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah (122,347 worshippers), and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque in Ras Al Khaimah (39,783 worshippers).
The National
12-03-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi's Ma'an allocates Dh98.6 million in community support in 2024
Ma'an, an Abu Dhabi organisation that leads community initiatives in the emirate, allocated Dh98.6 million ($26.8 million) in support of 51 projects last year. The figures were revealed in its report for 2024, which was released on Wednesday, and are an increase from the Dh91 million allocated in 2023. It was estimated that more than 23,498 individuals were positively affected within the community, benefiting directly from Ma'an's initiatives. Formed in 2019 by the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, the Authority directs funding from the public and private sectors to address social challenges. 'Ma'an plays an integral role in enhancing the quality of life for community members in Abu Dhabi,' Abdullah Al Ameri, director general of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, said. 'The Authority's evolving growth is evident in its year-on-year increase in community contributions, a further testament of its dedication to building a collaborative community that supports one another.' The contributions were divided into different sectors with the largest sum – Dh 36.8 million – going to nine projects in the health sector. These included support for elderly health care centres and covering health insurance costs. Support was provided to 1,118 patients, 448 inmates and 816 individuals from low-income families. Ma'an initiatives also supported families' grieving the loss of a loved one by covering burial costs. The social sector received Dh33.6 million through 26 projects to address social priorities, including empowering community groups in Abu Dhabi, to be active members of the community. They covered the annual rental costs of temporary housing for humanitarian and social cases whose housing needed maintenance, demolition or construction. Three air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders, providing them with a comfortable space to take breaks during their shifts, were also set up. A significant portion, Dh20 million, was allocated towards the education sector which was divided across eight projects. Among this was Dh6 million for the refurbishment of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School and Pakistan Community Welfare School. The funds also helped cover school fees for children from low-income families and to support orphans. A further Dh8.2 million was dedicated to the environment and infrastructure sector, funding eight projects aimed at promoting sustainable development, preserving the environment and enhancing infrastructure. 'As the government of Abu Dhabi's official channel to receive social contributions, we are dedicated to channelling contributions towards social projects led by our partners across various sectors to promote community development and build a co-operative, active and inclusive society,' Faisal Alhmoudi, Social Investment Fund executive director at Ma'an, said. 'We remain committed to building partnerships across key sectors, amplifying the reach and impact of social projects to drive positive change and maximise long-term benefits for our community. By fostering the values of shared responsibility and community giving among community members, we build a thriving community in Abu Dhabi.' Ma'an connects the government, private entities, social enterprises, and non-profits to raise and deploy funds towards initiatives to support social projects and programmes that address key societal priorities and directly impact the community.
The National
12-03-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi's Ma'an allocated Dh98.6 million in community support in 2024
Ma'an, an Abu Dhabi organisation that leads community initiatives in the emirate, allocated Dh98.6 million ($26.8 million) in support of 51 projects last year. The figures were revealed in its report for 2024, which was released on Wednesday, and are an increase from the Dh91 million allocated in 2023. It was estimated that more than 23,498 individuals were positively affected within the community, benefiting directly from Ma'an's initiatives. Formed in 2019 by the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi, the Authority directs funding from the public and private sectors to address social challenges. 'Ma'an plays an integral role in enhancing the quality of life for community members in Abu Dhabi,' Abdullah Al Ameri, director general of the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma'an, said. 'The Authority's evolving growth is evident in its year-on-year increase in community contributions, a further testament of its dedication to building a collaborative community that supports one another.' The contributions were divided into different sectors with the largest sum – Dh 36.8 million – going to nine projects in the health sector. These included support for elderly health care centres and covering health insurance costs. Support was provided to 1,118 patients, 448 inmates and 816 individuals from low-income families. Ma'an initiatives also supported families' grieving the loss of a loved one by covering burial costs. The social sector received Dh33.6 million through 26 projects to address social priorities, including empowering community groups in Abu Dhabi, to be active members of the community. They covered the annual rental costs of temporary housing for humanitarian and social cases whose housing needed maintenance, demolition or construction. Three air-conditioned rest areas for delivery riders, providing them with a comfortable space to take breaks during their shifts, were also set up. A significant portion, Dh20 million, was allocated towards the education sector which was divided across eight projects. Among this was Dh6 million for the refurbishment of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School and Pakistan Community Welfare School. The funds also helped cover school fees for children from low-income families and to support orphans. A further Dh8.2 million was dedicated to the environment and infrastructure sector, funding eight projects aimed at promoting sustainable development, preserving the environment and enhancing infrastructure. 'As the government of Abu Dhabi's official channel to receive social contributions, we are dedicated to channelling contributions towards social projects led by our partners across various sectors to promote community development and build a co-operative, active and inclusive society,' Faisal Alhmoudi, Social Investment Fund executive director at Ma'an, said. 'We remain committed to building partnerships across key sectors, amplifying the reach and impact of social projects to drive positive change and maximise long-term benefits for our community. By fostering the values of shared responsibility and community giving among community members, we build a thriving community in Abu Dhabi.' Ma'an connects the government, private entities, social enterprises, and non-profits to raise and deploy funds towards initiatives to support social projects and programmes that address key societal priorities and directly impact the community.
CairoScene
05-03-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
These Major Transport Projects Will Transform Dubai by 2040
The UAE is aiming to make Dubai a '20-minute' city, and these 14 projects are expected to get them there by 2040. Aug 23, 2024 The UAE continues on its journey to make Dubai a '20-minute' city, with their Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to ensure that 80% of essential services are within a twenty-minute travel radius for residents. This is both to facilitate the mobility of residents and visitors, and to promote easy living and putting Dubai in a competitive position to host prestigious international events. The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan also aims to create transport solutions ahead of an anticipated population increase in the megacity of one million, by 2040. Here is our digestible list of the 14 ongoing traffic and road projects in Dubai that will be pivotal to urban infrastructure in the city upon completion. Residents, pay attention. Your lives are about to get much easier. Al Khail Road Project Announced by the RTA in June, the Al Khail Road Project is the most recently unveiled traffic initiative in Dubai. The plan consists of a series of bridges constructed across Al Khail Road, as well as the widening of the road itself in order to divert and improve traffic flow in the direction of Abu Dhabi and Deira. With an investment of AED 700 million, the project will cover 6,820 square metres, including the neighbourhoods of Zabeel, Meydan, Al Quoz 1, Ghadeer Al Tair and Jumeirah Village Circle. One three-lane bridge spanning 700 metres at Zabeel will be able to accommodate 4,800 vehicles per hour, upon completion. Al Rebat Street Exit The RTA has already successfully relieved traffic congestion on Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road near Mirdif City Centre, after expanding Exit 55 which was previously a hazard. Exit 55 leads to Al Rebat Street, and the expansion spans 600 metres, adding an extra lane to the road. The road now has three lanes, and the positive effect on traffic flow and safety was notable and immediate upon completion. Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project This long-running project has now reached Phase Four, a sub-project worth AED 800 million, and as of May 2024, the Al Shindagha Corridor Improvement Project is 45% complete overall. This phase sets out to extend Sheikh Rashid Road by 4.8 km, from the intersection with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed street to the Falcon Exchange on Al Mina Road. It also details the construction of three bridges spanning 3.1 km in total, with the capacity to accommodate 19,400 vehicles per hour across all lanes. A bridge connecting Bur Dubai and Dubai Islands has been proposed as a part of the next phase, which will then serve approximately 16,000 drivers per hour. Dedicated Taxi and Bus Lanes The RTA is planning on building dedicated taxi and bus lanes as long as 13.1 km on six key streets, including Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, 2nd of December, Al Satwa, Al Nahda, Omar bin Al Khattab, and Naif Streets. The lanes are expected to be completed in their entirety between 2025 and 2027, extending Dubai's bus lane network to 20.1 km. Government officials hope that this initiative will encourage people to use public transport more often, over private vehicles, in line with the UAE's environmental goals, and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Dubai Harbour An AED 431 million project to introduce direct exit and entry points to Dubai Harbour area is underway. Upon completion, the flow of traffic around the Harbour will improve, and travel times around the area are estimated to be reduced from 12 minutes to as little as three minutes. The project will increase the vehicle capacity there to 6,000 vehicles an hour, through the construction of a 1.5 km two-lane bridge in each direction, extending between Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Harbour. Hessa Street An even greater investment than Dubai Harbour, the Hessa Street Improvement Project is an AED 689 million plan to improve four main intersections at S heikh Zayed Road, First Al Khail Street, Al Asayel Street and Al Khail Road. Announced in October 2023, there are also plans to widen Hessa Street from two to four lanes in each direction, over a distance of 4.5 km. These proposals will have the capacity to serve an estimated 640,000 people by 2030, boosting the individual capacity of each Hessa Street direction to 8,000 vehicles per hour. Addition of 636 New Buses to Dubai Roads One of the biggest investments on this list, the RTA recently channelled AED 1.1 billion into 636 new buses to be in service on Dubai roads as soon as possible. The new buses are compliant with European specifications for low carbon emissions, with 40 of the 636 being powered by electricity - the first of their kind in the UAE - and all buses fitted with Euro 6 environmentally-friendly engines. They will all also be classified under the United Nations Vehicle Category Class II, affording them the flexibility to operate on both urban and inter-urban routes. Sheikh Zayed Road Access to Mall of the Emirates A new AED 165 million bridge is set to be built on Sheikh Zayed Road to cut travel times around the Mall of Emirates and the surrounding area. The 300-metre extension will offer drivers direct access to the mall's parking lot from the main road, cutting down travel time for motorists from ten minutes to one minute, from the Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali direction. Motorists coming from the direction of Umm Suqeim will see an almost halved journey time, from 15 to eight minutes. Work will also be done on resurfacing older sections of the road to ensure the utmost safety for the 40 million annual visitors of the mall. The Intelligent Traffic Systems Project The second phase of this immense project is now underway, ultimately intending to make Dubai traffic systems and roads the most intelligent and efficient in the world. Dubai will soon have 100% of their main roads covered by smart traffic technology, ensuring smoother travel. Roads will feature sensors and state-of-the-art cameras to inform drivers about travel times and road conditions, inform authorities about crashes and accidents, as well as identify speeding cars and drivers. Variable Message Signs (VMS) will help distribute traffic evenly across main roads. Umm Suqeim Road Project Announced in January 2024, the RTA has committed AED 332 million to the extension of the intersection between Al Khail Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The investment will also fund the construction of two bridges with three lanes in each direction, and three pedestrian bridges. This project is expected to have a butterfly effect on the rest of the city, easing congestion at a key traffic junction, and travel times between the two main roads are projected to reduce by 33%. Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road Intersection Improvement Project As of June 9th 2024, this project to open a major bridge at the Garn Al Sabkha-Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road intersection was 90% completed, so Dubai drivers can expect to experience the positive effects soon. The project details the construction of four bridges totalling 2,874 metres in length, with the capacity to serve 17,600 vehicles per hour. One of the newly completed two-lane bridges is 666 metres long and serves 3,200 vehicles per hour, helping to improve traffic flow by separating the traffic coming from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road to the service road leading to the entrances of Jumeirah Golf Estate and Dubai Production City. Dubai Metro Blue Line The ongoing Dubai Metro Blue Line Project, announced in November 2023, is scheduled for completion in 2029, and will open on the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro. The new 30-kilometre route will strategically link areas around the Emirate through 14 stations, with 15.5 km running underground and 14.5 km overground. It represents significant public transport advancement due to the pending 1300-metre viaduct that will allow residents to cross Dubai Creek by metro. The Blue Line is expected to be pivotal for the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, aiming to transform the city into the world's best for living, and offering sustainable and comfortable mass transit solutions. It is anticipated to serve around 200,000 passengers daily by 2030, and 320,000 by 2040. Aerial Taxis in Dubai by 2026 The initial phases of the Aerial Taxi Project will see launches at four prime locations: near Dubai International Airport, Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. Flying at a speed of up to 321 km per hour, the aerial taxis will offer a high-speed travel option in high-congestion areas, cutting the journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah down to ten minutes, as opposed to 45 minutes by car. The vertiports, where the taxis will vertically take off and land, will feature passenger areas, security checks and electric charging stations. The taxis themselves will be able to accommodate four passengers in addition to the pilot. 13.5-Kilometre Track for Bicycles, Scooters, and Pedestrians Finally, a major project for pedestrians and cyclists! An additional part of the Hessa Street Improvement Project, a track is being constructed for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters. At 13.5 km in length and 45 metres in width, the track features two bridges over Sheikh Zayed Road Al Khail Road, both spanning approximately 500 metres. The track will serve twelve residential, commercial and educational areas, improving green, urban connectivity for up to 5,200 users per hour.
