If you’ve lived in the UAE long enough, you know that Friday is more than just a half-day at the office or a break from school. It’s the heartbeat of the week. It’s that specific scent of bukhoor in the air, the crispness of a freshly pressed Kandura, and the inevitable rush to find a parking spot near your local mosque.
Recently, the UAE’s General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat (Awqaf) dropped some major news that’s going to change the rhythm of our Fridays starting next year. From January 2, 2026, Friday prayer timings across all mosques in the UAE will be standardized to 12:45 PM.
Whether you’re in the bustling streets of Deira or the quiet suburbs of Al Ain, the Khutbah (sermon) and prayers will start at the exact same time.
It’s a “Family-First” Move
This isn’t a decision made on a whim. According to Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of Awqaf, this change comes after a solid four-year study. The goal? To make life a bit more seamless for families.
Since the UAE shifted its weekend to Saturday-Sunday back in 2022, the 1:15 PM prayer time was the standard. But as we’ve all noticed, that 1:15 PM slot can sometimes feel like it cuts the afternoon right in half. By moving it up to 12:45 PM, the government is looking to give families more quality time together.
It’s no coincidence that 2026 has been declared the “Year of the Family” by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The idea is to finish prayers a little earlier, so the traditional Friday lunch with the grandparents or that family trip to the park can start sooner. It’s all about strengthening that social fabric that makes the UAE feel like home.
The “School Run” Shuffle: What Parents are Saying
If you’re a parent in Dubai, your first thought is probably about the school bus. Currently, most schools finish up around 11:30 AM or 12:00 PM on Fridays. This gives students just enough time to get home, freshen up, and head to the mosque with their dads or brothers.
With the new 12:45 PM timing, that window gets significantly smaller. If a student gets home at 12:15 PM, they’ve only got 30 minutes to get ready and get to the mosque. In Dubai traffic, we all know that’s a tight squeeze.
The good news? Education authorities like the KHDA in Dubai and ADEK in Abu Dhabi are already listening. They’ve been surveying schools to see if a shift to an 11:30 AM dismissal—or even 11:00 AM—might be necessary. School principals are already looking at ways to tweak lesson blocks so that “Short Friday” doesn’t mean “No Learning Friday.”
No More “Emirate Hopping” Confusion
One of the most practical perks of this update is the standardization. Up until now, prayer times could vary slightly between emirates. If you were driving from Sharjah to Dubai, you might find yourself checking the clock to see if you’d make it in time.
Now, it’s one time for everyone. Even in Sharjah, which famously has a four-day workweek, the 12:45 PM timing will bring a sense of national unity to the Friday experience. It simplifies things for everyone, from the construction worker on his break to the CEO heading out from DIFC.
Is it Religiously Valid?
For those wondering if the change aligns with Sharia, Dr. Al Darei was very clear: this is a social adjustment, not a religious one, but it is 100% religiously sound.
In Islamic jurisprudence, the window for Friday prayer (which replaces the Dhuhr prayer) stays open until the time for the Asr (afternoon) prayer begins. Since 12:45 PM falls well within that window, it’s perfectly permissible. It’s a great example of how the UAE stays rooted in tradition while remaining flexible enough to meet the needs of a modern, fast-paced society.
Adapting to the New Flow
Adjusting to a new schedule always takes a bit of time, but the community feedback has been largely positive. Most residents agree that an earlier start means an earlier finish, which is a win for anyone who wants to beat the post-prayer traffic or get a head start on their weekend plans.
For businesses, it might mean shifting those “Friday Remote” hours or allowing staff to leave 15 minutes earlier. For families, it’s a chance to reclaim the afternoon.
As we get closer to January 2026, keep an eye on your school’s newsletters and your company’s HR updates. There will likely be more specific guidance on transport and office hours as the “Year of the Family” approaches.
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- UAE Prayer Time Moves to 12:45 PM in 2026 – Social Kandura
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