ABU DHABI: The UAE will change and standardize the timing of the Friday sermon and prayer across the country from January 2, 2026, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) said.
According to the new schedule, the Friday prayer and the sermon (khutbah) will be held at 12.45 local time in all mosques throughout the country.
Previously, Dubai and Abu Dhabi generally held the Friday prayer at around 1:30 p.m. local time, while Sharjah and some northern emirates performed the prayer around 12.30 local time.
The new rule brings all mosques in the country under a single, unified timing.
The authority urged worshipers to arrive early to avoid missing the sermon and to ensure they receive the full religious reward, stressing the importance of punctuality.
Officials said the decision aims to improve organization and ensure consistent prayer times across all emirates, supporting better crowd management and community coordination.
