UAE annaounces new Friday prayer timing/Representative Image

Starting the first Friday of the new year, worshippers across the UAE will follow a new, unified schedule for Friday prayers. The move, announced by the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat, aims to bring consistency and better organization to mosques nationwide. The General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments, and Zakat has confirmed that from Friday, January 2, 2026, Friday sermons and prayers will begin at 12:45 pm in all mosques across the UAE. This adjustment is part of a broader effort to standardize prayer timings and ensure that worshippers can attend the sermon and prayer on time, no matter where they are in the country.Authorities have emphasized the importance of arriving early, encouraging worshippers to be present before the start of the sermon to fully participate and earn the spiritual reward of attending Friday prayers. By setting a unified timing, the authority aims to simplify scheduling for communities and enhance the overall organization of mosque activities.Worshippers are urged to follow the new schedule diligently. The change ensures that Friday prayers across the UAE are consistent, allowing for a smoother and more coordinated experience for everyone attending.