UAE's Grand Ramadan Plans for 2026 Unveiled

66 New Mosques, 20 Scholars, 12,500 Saplings: UAE Prepares for Ramadan 2026

As the 2026 Ramadan approaches, the United Arab Emirates has announced comprehensive preparations, encompassing religious, community, environmental, and family aspects to elevate the festive period to a new level. The plans aim at mosque expansion, strengthening international scientific presence, ensuring sustainability, and promoting social responsibility. The goal is clear: Ramadan should not only be a religious month but a time of community cohesion and strengthening family values across all seven emirates of the UAE, including Dubai's dynamically developing urban environment.

Mosque Development in New Housing Areas

One of the most significant announcements is the opening of 66 new mosques in the upcoming period. These places of worship will be fully equipped with modern infrastructure and facilities for the convenience of the faithful. The developments particularly focus on newly established residential areas where population growth justifies the expansion of religious infrastructure.

During mosque constructions, special attention is given to accessibility, parking options, and architectural solutions that blend into the environment. Previously inaugurated mosques named after the seven emirates hold symbolic significance as they reinforce the unity and identity of the country. These new investments continue this approach: developing physical space serves to strengthen community and spiritual space.

Environmental Sustainability Around Mosques

The Ramadan preparations go beyond construction. In the first phase of the "Green Our Mosques" initiative, about 12,500 saplings have been planted around 224 mosques. This program symbolizes both spiritual and natural renewal.

Greening is not just an aesthetic issue. Trees provide shade, improve air quality, and contribute to reducing urban heat island effects—particularly important in densely populated areas like some districts of Dubai. The initiative's message is clear: practicing faith and environmental protection are not isolated fields but values that reinforce each other.

Moderation and Community Responsibility

Authorities emphasized the importance of moderation during Tarawih prayers. Imams are encouraged to consider the life situations, health conditions, and daily burdens of worshippers. The aim is to ensure tranquility, balance, and spiritual deepening.

Community responsibility is also evident in practical details. Mosque visitors are urged to respect parking rules, avoid obstructing traffic during prayer times, and refrain from community participation when ill, to protect others. These guidelines reflect the perspective that Ramadan is not only about individual self-discipline but also about responsibility towards the community.

Presence of International Scholars

A highlight of the 2026 Ramadan is the arrival of around 20 international scholars from various countries. Their programs will be organized in all seven emirates, allowing a wide range of communities to benefit from their teachings and lectures.

The presence of scholars not only means religious education but also cultural and intellectual dialogue. Speakers from diverse backgrounds bring new perspectives while strengthening community identity through shared principles. This initiative is particularly important in a diverse society like the UAE, where tradition and modernity are in constant dialogue.

The "Year of the Family" and Ramadan's Connection

This year's Ramadan coincides with the "Year of the Family" initiative, focusing on strengthening family ties. Ramadan programs are designed in this spirit: emphasis is on shared iftars, religious home education, and nurturing intergenerational relationships.

Incorporating digital tools and modern technologies is also part of the strategy. Online lectures, informational campaigns, and religious guides available on digital platforms assist families in experiencing the holy month consciously and prepared. This approach aligns well with the country's technological advancement, evident in Dubai's innovative cityscape.

Months of Preparations

The announced measures were not developed overnight. Months of preparatory work preceded the program development. Training personnel, technically preparing mosques, and fine-tuning operational systems were all part of the process.

Educational activities are also significant: more than 260,000 educational and awareness-enhancing events have been held over the past year. In the month preceding Ramadan, a separate program focused on the virtues of fasting and its ethical aspects, and several Friday sermons served spiritual preparation. In religious legal matters, professional knowledge was strengthened to provide communities with credible and prepared guidance.

A Comprehensive, Holistic Approach

The preparations for the 2026 Ramadan clearly show that the UAE approaches the holy month not just on an administrative or logistical level. Developments simultaneously affect infrastructure, spiritual life, environmental sustainability, and family values.

The 66 new mosques, 20 international scholars, and 12,500 planted saplings are all part of the same vision: creating a Ramadan where faith, community, and responsibility form a unity. This complex approach makes the 2026 preparation special and reflects the long-term strategy characteristic of the country's development—whether it be about nurturing traditions or the challenges of modern urban life in Dubai and the other emirates.