UAE(The COW News Digital)The United Arab Emirates has announced a unified timing for Friday prayers and sermons across all mosques in the country, aiming to standardize worship schedules and enhance convenience for congregants. The decision was issued by the UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (Awqaf), with the new system set to take effect from January 2, 2026.
Under the new arrangement, all mosques in the UAE will hold the Friday sermon and prayer at 12:45 PM. Previously, prayer timings varied between different emirates, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi generally observing Friday prayers at around 1:30 PM, while Sharjah and the northern emirates conducted them closer to 12:30 PM. This inconsistency often created scheduling challenges for residents, particularly those commuting between emirates for work or personal reasons.
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The General Authority of Islamic Affairs has urged worshippers to adhere strictly to the designated timing and attend prayers at the scheduled hour. Officials emphasized that the unified schedule aims to promote harmony among the faithful and facilitate smoother organization of Friday congregational prayers.
Religious leaders have welcomed the move, noting that it will help standardize religious practices across the federation while allowing communities to coordinate better for religious and social activities. By ensuring a consistent prayer time, mosques can also better manage crowd control, particularly in larger cities where Friday prayers often attract thousands of worshippers.
The announcement is part of broader efforts by the UAE government to modernize administrative practices in religious institutions while respecting Islamic traditions. Authorities have highlighted that such standardization enhances spiritual discipline, strengthens community engagement, and ensures equitable access to religious services across all emirates.
Residents and scholars alike have expressed support for the initiative, viewing it as a practical step that balances tradition with organizational efficiency. The uniform timing is expected to be widely adopted, with mosques planning to inform worshippers through local communication channels and mosque announcements in the coming weeks.
As the UAE continues to modernize various aspects of governance and public life, the standardization of Friday prayers reflects the country’s commitment to maintaining religious observance while ensuring consistency and convenience for all citizens and residents.
