Friday sermons and congregational prayers across the United Arab Emirates will now begin at 12:45pm, starting tomorrow, following the implementation of a nationwide prayer timetable announced by religious authorities last month.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat confirmed that the revised timing will take effect from the first Friday of the new year, introducing a single, unified schedule for all mosques across the country. Worshippers have been advised to arrive ahead of time to avoid missing the sermon.
According to officials, the decision is aimed at standardising Friday worship throughout the UAE, ensuring that congregations attend the full khutbah and receive consistent religious guidance regardless of location. The authority said a fixed national sermon time helps promote discipline during prayers and enables the coordinated delivery of key religious messages.
Beyond religious objectives, the move is also expected to bring practical benefits for daily life. With thousands of mosques spread across multiple emirates, a single Friday prayer schedule is likely to make planning easier for families, employees and students, reducing confusion and improving coordination nationwide.
Authorities noted that the adjustment supports broader government efforts to streamline routines through unified national policies, helping residents better organise their Fridays around worship, work and family commitments.
The timing change also aligns with the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of the Family.” Officials said the revised prayer schedule is intended to encourage shared family time, balanced lifestyles and greater flexibility at the end of the working week, reinforcing the country’s focus on social cohesion and well-being.
