The UAE is already gearing up for a fresh new change in the New Year! From 2nd January, 2026, all mosques across the country will begin the Friday sermon and prayer at 12:45 PM, which is a shift from the 1:15 PM timing used since 2022 (except in Sharjah). The General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) has urged worshippers to take note of the new timing and plan their travel accordingly to avoid missing the sermon. The updated schedule brings all Emirates under one unified Friday prayer time for smoother organisation and a little more harmony across the country. Want to know how the new prayer timings will affect you? Then keep reading to know more!
Also Read: UAE: Indian Schools To Switch To Unified Academic Calendar From April 2026
Previous Prayer Timings
Since 2022, Friday prayers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and some of the other Emirates have been scheduled for 1:15 PM due to the country’s shift in the workweek. However, Sharjah maintained its earlier prayer time at around 12:20 PM, since it followed a Friday-to-Sunday weekend. Before the change in workweek in 2022, Friday prayers across the UAE typically took place shortly after noon.
How Will This Impact UAE Residents
1. Your Fridays May Be Less Hectic
Some residents have shared that some family members often rush home from school to prepare for Friday prayers due to the early timing in the emirate. If Sharjah adopts the 12:45 PM timing, the revised timing will give worshippers ample time to get home, freshen up, and reach the mosque without feeling pressured.
2. Improved Work Productivity
Some residents in Dubai have shared their disruptive experiences with the current 1:30 PM prayer time. Employees usually end up taking lunch breaks extending up to 2:30 PM, leaving them with unfinished work before the weekend. Employees have also shared that a 12:45 PM prayer will allow them to take lunch breaks at a suitable time and return to work sooner.
3. Commuting Made Easier To Attend Prayers
Commuting in most Emirates is a nightmare during traffic. Some residents expressed how they often miss prayers in Sharjah due to work commitments, preferring to pray in Al Mamzar, Dubai. To avoid delays or the risk of missing prayers in Sharjah, some residents drive to Dubai for the 1:30 PM service at Bin Dalmouk Mosque. With a consistent prayer time across the UAE, worshippers will be able to attend regularly and feel more organised.
4. Impact On Schools And Workplaces
Most schools often follow a timetable that includes their prayer time. However, the new prayer time may require schools and offices across the UAE to adjust their schedules accordingly.
As the countdown to the New Year begins, the UAE is entering 2026 with lots of fresh changes to make travel, commute and prayer times simpler. Don’t forget to keep reading Gulf Buzz for all the latest updates. For more information about the changes in prayer timings, visit the official General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) website.
