Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-02-13

Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has opened its first smart masjid using the Quick response (QR) code technology which offers digital access to masaajids.

Launched by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (DIACA) in Dubai and Inaugurated last week by Al Shaibani, Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum masjid in Jumeirah 3 became the first Emirati masjid to use QR code technology.

"We are using the QR code technology to identify all mosques of the emirate to help develop and add more value to them," Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of DIACA, was quoted by Khaleej Times.

“[We] make the electronic services easier and more accessible.”

The new smart masjid would allow musallee’s to easily get general information about the masjid using their smart phones and tablets at any time.

The project is expecting to develop better communication between masaajids and musallees allowing them to share their comments, remarks, feedback, and complaints freely.

“Electronic donation – under development, shall also be available, along with more services in the future,” said Nassir Mubarak, head of IT section at DIACA.

The digital information of the masjid would include its history, capacity, nature, area, salaah times, lectures or courses offered by the masjid, along with information about the Jumu’ah sermon.

"The QR code technology allows mosque-goers to access a special webpage of the mosque by scanning its barcode with a smart phone or tablet which are automatically equipped with this technology," said Mubarak.

"Otherwise an app for QR code can be downloaded easily for concerned online stores,” Mubarak added.

The launching of Al-Maktoum smart masjid is part of the first phase of Dubai’s smart masjid’s  project which includes plans for nine more smart masaajid’s with similar technologies.

The smart masjid project is sponsored by the Smart Government initiative which was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Emirates’ vice president, last year.

QR code is the trademark name for the two dimensional barcode system which was originally invented in 1994 by Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary, as a way to track vehicles assembled in a place, and to scan components at high speeds.

QR codes have long since expanded their usefulness beyond the automotive industry. Today they’re used in everything from inventory tracking, to shipping and logistics, to online ticketing. – Khaleejtimes.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)