ABU DHABI: The UAE will modify and standardize the Friday sermon and prayer schedule across the country from January 2, 2026, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) has announced.
According to the new schedule, Friday prayers and sermon (khutbah) will take place at 12:45 p.m. local time in all mosques across the country.
Previously, Dubai and Abu Dhabi usually held Friday prayers around 1:30 p.m. local time, while Sharjah and some northern emirates led prayers around 12:30 p.m. local time.
The new rule brings together all the country’s mosques according to a single, unified calendar.
Authorities urged worshipers to arrive early to avoid missing the sermon and to ensure they will receive the full religious reward, emphasizing the importance of punctuality.
Officials said the decision was aimed at improving organization and ensuring consistent prayer times across all emirates, thereby promoting better crowd management and community coordination.
