These simple quick response codes have allowed a whole other level of interaction with this UAE landmark.
A mosque in Jumeirah, United Arab Emirates, has now implemented QR codes to help to enhance the experience for people there, providing easy access to general information that they may wish to know.
These quick response codes help to make sure that the information that is needed is always available.
By scanning the QR codes, people can learn more about the history of the mosque, as about its capacity, its area, nature, the timings of its prayers, and even about the courses and lectures that it has to offer. Updates can also be obtained about its Friday sermons. This makes it the very first “smart mosque” in the UAE.
The QR codes were launched by the Department if Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (DIACA).
They were launched by the DIACA in Dubai this week. The Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum mosque is located in Jumeirah 3, and has now been fitted with the quick response codes, representing the very first step that will be taken in a new program for government buildings.
This represents the beginning of Phase I of the development of many more smart mosques. At the moment, the program already intends to add an additional nine mosques into the barcoded program before the end of this year.
These qrcodes are a part of the Smart Government initiative that was first unveiled back in May 2013, by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE, the Vice President of the UAE, and the Ruler of Dubai.
According to the DIACA director general, Dr. Hamad Al Shaibani, the interactive services that are made available through the barcode scans will be available to mobile device users 24/7. He explained that “We are using the QR code technology to identify all mosques of the emirate to help develop and add more value to them, and make the electronic services easier and more accessible.”
The head of the DIACA’s IT section, Nassir Mubarak, added that the smart mosques project is using the QR codes as a part of a brand new channel geared toward improved communication with the public.
