The Department of Transport (DoT) Abu Dhabi has announced that it will be providing free transport services to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan.

Buses will depart from Wahat Al Karama parking area and ferry worshippers to and from the mosque's drop off area every five minutes, from 11pm until 3pm.

The free transport service is part of the DoT's charitable initiatives during the holy month of Ramadan and to mark the Year of Zayed.

"The aim of the service is to offer easy transport for worshippers attending Tahajjud (late night) prayer. Finding parking at the mosque's parking lots is difficult because of the rush, especially during the last ten days," a DoT official told Khaleej Times.

Policemen will be stationed at the mosque during the night to guide worshippers and help control traffic flow.

When the mosque parking lots are full, worshippers who come late for the Taraweeh or the late night prayers will be diverted to the parking lot at Wahat Al Karama beside the mosque.

Worshippers would then have to walk for long distances after performing the night prayers. Bus services will avoid such difficulties, said the official.

"This is good news," said Mohammed Hassan, an Egyptian national who attends night prayers at the grand mosque daily.

"Thousands of people visit the grand mosque, and unless you come really early, it is impossible to find parking."

Every year, the grand mosque welcomes several renowned imams and holy Quran reciters to lead worshipers during Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers throughout Ramadan.

The imams - including Idrees Abkar, the official imam of the Grand Mosque - take turns in leading the night prayers.

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