Adjustments to Friday prayer timings across the UAE are influencing how residents organize their work commitments, daily routines, and travel plans, prompting many to modify schedules to maintain overall efficiency.
How changes to UAE Friday prayer timings impact residents’ work schedules and commute.
The General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) has confirmed that a nationwide adjustment will soon be introduced to the timing of the weekly Friday prayer in the UAE. Beginning January 2, 2026, all mosques throughout the country will follow a unified schedule that sets the start of the Friday sermon and congregational prayer at 12:45pm.
This upcoming change marks a shift from the current timing and is intended to ensure consistency across all emirates. Awqaf explained that the revised schedule will be officially adopted on the first Friday of the new year, and worshippers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated time so they can plan their day accordingly.
The authority also reminded community members of the importance of reaching the mosque ahead of the sermon, as arriving early allows worshippers to prepare spiritually, find a comfortable place inside the prayer hall, and participate fully in the weekly gathering. Awqaf emphasised that early arrival reflects both respect for the sanctity of the Friday ritual and commitment to communal worship.
Residents across the country are therefore advised to note the new unified time, adjust their routines where needed, and ensure they are present in the mosque well before the sermon begins.
Starting from January 2, 2026, the UAE will adopt a unified Friday prayer schedule, with the sermon and prayer set to begin at 12:45pm across the country. This adjustment marks a shift from the 1:15pm timing that has been in effect nationwide since 2022, with the exception of Sharjah, which has followed a different schedule. The new time aims to standardise the weekly prayer routine for all emirates and ensure greater alignment in worship practices. With this update, residents are encouraged to take note of the earlier start and plan their Friday activities accordingly to be present at the mosque on time.
Since the UAE shifted its national workweek in 2022, most emirates — including Dubai and Abu Dhabi — have scheduled the Friday sermon and prayer for 1:15pm. Sharjah, however, maintained its earlier timing of roughly 12:20pm, as the emirate moved to a Friday–Sunday weekend and opted not to adopt the later slot. Prior to the nationwide change in working days, Friday prayers across the country traditionally took place soon after midday, reflecting the earlier practice followed for many years.
What the change means for residents
The updated prayer schedule is expected to influence how families, employees and daily travellers organise their Fridays. Many residents said the new timing could make the day easier to manage.
Fridays could feel less hectic
Abbas W, who has lived in Sharjah for many years, explained that his teenage nephew often ends up rushing home from school to get ready for Friday prayers because the current timing in the emirate is quite early.
He noted that adopting the 12:45pm start would make a noticeable difference. “It would give him enough time to come home, freshen up and walk to the mosque calmly, without feeling pressured,” Abbas said.
Smoother work schedules
Dubai resident Maryam Suha shared that when Friday prayers were held closer to 1:30pm, her lunch break would extend until about 2:30pm, causing her workload to spill into the later part of the day.
“With the prayer beginning at 12:45pm, I can perform the prayer on time, have lunch immediately afterward and return to work sooner,” she explained. Suha added that the earlier finish would not only make her Friday more efficient but also give her additional time with her children before the weekend begins.
Commuters may find it easier to keep up with Friday prayers
For many people who travel between emirates for work, the difference in Friday prayer timings has often created challenges. Mohammed Faisal, who lives in Sharjah but commutes daily to Dubai, explained that the current schedule sometimes causes him to miss the prayer altogether in his home emirate. Because Sharjah holds its Friday prayer earlier than the other emirates, he frequently finds himself still on the way to work or caught in traffic, making it difficult to arrive on time.
Faisal shared that on weeks when he cannot make it to a Sharjah mosque, he alters his routine and heads to Dubai’s Al Mamzar area instead. There, he attends the 1:30pm prayer at the Bin Dalmouk Mosque, which he says is more practical for his schedule. However, managing two different timings—one in Sharjah and another in Dubai—often forces him to constantly adjust his plans, especially on days when work is demanding.
He believes that introducing a single, unified prayer time of 12:45pm across the country will significantly ease the pressure on people like him. “If all emirates follow the same schedule, then I won’t have to rush or worry about missing the prayer,” he said. “It will make me more consistent and give me peace of mind.”
Faisal added that if Sharjah also adopts the new timing, it would eliminate any confusion he currently faces and simplify his entire Friday routine. With one fixed schedule nationwide, planning the day will become far more straightforward for commuters who move between cities for work.
Effects on schools and workplaces
With the UAE set to introduce a revised Friday prayer schedule, educational institutions and employers are likely to reassess how their Friday timings are organised. Many schools currently release students earlier on Fridays, and offices often adjust working hours to accommodate the existing prayer time. Once the updated schedule officially begins, administrators may need to modify lesson plans, dismissal times, or break periods to ensure that students and staff can observe the prayer comfortably.
Similarly, businesses across different sectors might revisit their operational hours. Some companies may shift lunch breaks, reorganise meeting slots, or revise half-day policies to stay aligned with the new prayer schedule. These conversations are expected to take place over the coming weeks as organisations evaluate how the revised time will influence their workflow. Khaleej Times has reached out to several schools and leading corporations to understand whether changes are being considered and how they intend to support employees and pupils during the transition.
Preparing for the upcoming change
The updated prayer time will come into force on January 2, 2026, providing more than a month for institutions, commuters, and families to make any necessary adjustments. This preparation period allows schools to finalise revised timetables, offices to update internal policies, and residents to plan how their Fridays will look moving forward.
For many people, the introduction of a consistent nationwide schedule is expected to bring greater convenience. With all emirates following the same timing, Fridays may feel more organised, reducing the sense of rushing and making it easier for individuals to balance worship, work, and family commitments.
