The UAE government has announced a nationwide adjustment to the timing of Friday sermons and prayers at mosques across the country, effective Friday, January 2, 2026. Under the new directive from the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, the Friday khutbah (sermon) and prayer will be held at 12.45 pm in all emirates — replacing the previous timing around 1.15 pm in many areas.
🕰️ What’s Changing and Why
The unified timing means that worshippers nationwide will now observe the Friday congregational prayer at the same set time — 12.45 pm, with the intention of:
Promoting consistency across all mosques in the UAE.
Simplifying daily routines for worshippers, families, and employers.
Supporting broader community and family life goals by allowing individuals more time to gather and connect after prayer.
Previously, major emirates such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi followed a fixed time around 1.15 pm, while other emirates like Sharjah and the Northern Emirates had earlier timings nearer to midday. The new schedule standardises these practices nationwide.
📅 Implementation and Advance Preparation
The change will take effect from the first Friday of 2026 (January 2). Religious authorities and mosque administrators have urged residents and workers to arrive early at mosques to ensure participation in the sermon and prayer, prompting many worshippers to start adjusting routines ahead of time. Some community members have reported arriving earlier on recent Fridays as a “warm-up” to the new schedule.
📚 Impact on Daily Life and Institutions
The revised prayer timing is expected to have implications for several sectors:
Education: Schools across the UAE are already considering earlier dismissal or timetable adjustments to ensure students and staff can observe the prayer time without disruption to learning. Authorities such as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) are consulting with schools on how best to manage schedules.
Workplaces: Employers and employees may need to adapt Friday workplace routines to align with the standardized prayer time, especially in sectors where half-day Fridays are common.
Traffic: Earlier prayer timing could affect midday commuting patterns, especially around mosques, which were a key factor when prayer timings were originally shifted to the afternoon after the UAE adopted a Monday-to-Friday working week.
🕌 Why Friday Prayer Matters in the UAE
Friday’s congregational prayer (Jumu‘ah) holds special spiritual significance in Islam as a weekly gathering that replaces the Dhuhr prayer and includes a sermon. It serves not only as a religious obligation but as a focal point for community bonding and reflection. By setting a unified time, authorities aim to make the experience more accessible and predictable for families, workers, and students alike.
🌍 Looking Ahead
The shift to a 12.45 pm Friday prayer time reflects both religious and social planning within the UAE, aligning spiritual practices with broader societal rhythms. As residents prepare for the change, many are already adjusting their routines, anticipating a smoother and more unified observance from the start of next year.