4 Reasons UAE Friday Prayer Times Are Changing From January 2026
Unified Friday prayer timing aims to enhance religious, social, and economic harmony across the UAE.
The UAE will change Friday prayer timings nationwide from January 2026, with all mosques set to hold the Friday sermon and Jumuah prayer at 12:45pm, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has confirmed.
The change will take effect on Friday, January 2, 2026, and is intended to standardise prayer times and improve organisational consistency across mosques. While the authority has stated that the goal is unification, the decision also aligns with religious rulings, social planning, seasonal considerations, and economic efficiency.
Here are four key reasons behind the adjustment of Friday prayer times in the UAE.
1. Religious validity and unified worship
From an Islamic jurisprudence perspective, Friday prayer may be performed any time during Dhuhr, which begins after the sun passes its zenith and lasts until the Asr prayer. Scholars widely agree that a 12:45pm prayer time fully meets these conditions.
Standardising the timing nationally helps ensure worshippers can attend the full sermon, strengthens unity in religious guidance, and supports orderly congregational worship across the country.
2. Social coordination and family life
A single national prayer time simplifies weekly planning for families, employees, and students, particularly in a country with multiple emirates and thousands of mosques.
The change also aligns with broader social objectives, including the UAE’s designation of 2026 as the “Year of the Family.” An earlier, predictable prayer time supports family gatherings, shared meals, and balanced Friday routines.
3. Winter-time and practical scheduling considerations
Although winter days are shorter, the Dhuhr prayer window remains firmly around mid-day. Moving Friday prayer to 12:45pm keeps it within the valid timeframe while offering a practical time slot before afternoon commitments and social activities.
Officials have previously highlighted organisational efficiency as a key factor, with a fixed time offering greater stability than seasonally adjusted schedules.
4. Economic and workplace efficiency
The revised timing will require minor workplace and commuting adjustments, particularly for employees working half days on Fridays. However, a fixed nationwide schedule is expected to reduce disruptions for businesses, retail outlets, and public-facing services that pause during prayer.
With a predictable prayer time, employers can plan staffing and operations more efficiently, supporting smoother traffic flow, workforce movement, and service continuity.
A move toward long-term consistency
In recent years, the UAE has shifted away from seasonal Friday prayer adjustments in favour of a fixed national schedule. Moving from 1:15pm to 12:45pm is seen as a continuation of that approach, offering clarity, consistency, and ease of planning for both institutions and worshippers.
The decision reflects a balance between religious requirements, social harmony, seasonal practicality, and economic organisation, reinforcing a unified Friday prayer experience across the UAE.