Residents and motorists in Abu Dhabi should take note: new Mawaqif paid parking zones have been activated in several areas across the city, Q Mobility announced on Thursday, July 10.

The newly introduced paid zones include:

• Eastern Mangroves
• Dolphin Park
• Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street sectors – specifically at Al Khaleej Al Arabi Park 1, 2, 4, and 5
• Al Qurm Plaza

The rollout of the Mawaqif system in these areas is now officially in effect, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s parking regulations.

• Standard Parking – black and blue curbs:
  • Dh2 an hour
  • Dh15 for 24-hour parking
• Premium Parking Abu Dhabi – white and blue curbs: AED 3 an hour

According to Q Mobility, this move is part of ongoing efforts to better regulate vehicle movement, ease congestion, and improve the overall efficiency of public parking across the emirate. The changes follow the completion of infrastructure upgrades such as curb painting, installation of directional and awareness signage, and public notifications.

The company has also encouraged drivers to make use of the Darb app for digital payment and to carefully follow posted instructions to avoid fines.

The expansion of Mawaqif is part of a broader strategy aimed at improving traffic flow and providing smarter, more streamlined parking solutions within Abu Dhabi Island and beyond.

Good news for Dubai motorists, especially those navigating through Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Al Safa. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a major traffic upgrade at the busy intersection of Al Wasl Street and Al Manara Street, aimed at easing congestion and cutting down your commute time.

As part of the project, a new lane has been added for vehicles heading from Al Manara Street towards Sheikh Zayed Road. Plus, a dedicated U-turn lane has been introduced to improve traffic flow for drivers coming from Sheikh Zayed Road and heading back onto Al Wasl or Al Manara.

Thanks to these changes:

• The number of lanes at the intersection is now three, increasing capacity by 50%.
• Waiting times have dropped by up to 30–35%, according to RTA estimates.

These improvements are part of the RTA’s broader 2025 Traffic Improvement Plan, which focuses on upgrading roads across key residential areas and improving traffic flow on streets parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. The goal? Smoother daily commutes, better road safety, and improved quality of life for residents.

So if you regularly drive through Al Wasl or Al Manara, your trip just got a bit quicker and a lot less frustrating.

A long weekend may be on the cards for UAE residents this September, as the country prepares to mark the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a public holiday traditionally observed on the 12th of Rabi Al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar.

While the official date will be confirmed by moon sightings closer to the time, astronomers have predicted two likely scenarios for 2025:

• If Rabi Al-Awwal begins on Sunday night, August 24, then the holiday will likely fall on Thursday, September 4, giving residents a mid-week day off.
• If the Islamic month starts on Monday night, August 25, then the 12th of Rabi Al-Awwal would land on Friday, September 5, potentially resulting in a three-day weekend when combined with Saturday and Sunday.

This would be a welcome break following the summer season, offering many the chance to unwind, travel, or spend time with family.

Can the UAE Shift the Holiday?

Under current Cabinet guidelines, most UAE public holidays, excluding Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, can be moved to the beginning or end of the workweek to create longer weekends. If the Prophet’s birthday falls on a Friday, it’s likely to remain as is, offering a natural long weekend.

Why Islamic Holiday Dates Change Every Year

The Hijri (Islamic) calendar is based on lunar cycles, with months lasting 29 or 30 days. This makes the Islamic year around 10–12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, causing holidays to shift earlier each year.

Whether it’s a Thursday pause or a full three-day weekend, residents can look forward to a well-timed break this September, with official confirmation to follow from UAE authorities.