Unified Friday Prayer Timing: UAE slot nationwide; schools, traffic adapt today
The UAE has unified Friday prayer timings to 12:45 PM across all emirates starting January 2, 2026, simplifying schedules for families and workers. This change, part of the 'Year of the Family' initiative, aims to synchronize community events. Expect increased traffic due to school dismissals and concentrated mosque-goers, with public transport frequencies boosted. Weather remains fair with mild temperatures.
New year, new payer timings in the UAE / Image: File
Today, Friday, January 2, 2026, marks a landmark shift for the UAE. For the first time, the nation has moved to a unified Friday prayer timing of 12:45 PM across all emirates. This change, announced by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), aims to simplify the weekly rhythm for families and workers, ensuring that whether you are in Abu Dhabi or Fujairah, the sermon starts at the same moment.
Today’s prayer timetable
While the astronomical Dhuhr (midday) time varies by a few minutes between cities, the official congregational Friday Prayer (Jumu'ah) is fixed at 12:45 PM nationwide. Below are the specific timings for the five daily prayers across the major emirates:
City
Fajr
Sunrise
Friday Prayer (Jumu'ah)
Asr
Maghrib
Isha
Dubai
05:41 AM
07:04 AM
12:45 PM
03:22 PM
05:42 PM
07:12 PM
Abu Dhabi
05:44 AM
07:06 AM
12:45 PM
03:27 PM
05:47 PM
07:17 PM
Sharjah
05:41 AM
07:04 AM
12:45 PM
03:21 PM
05:41 PM
07:11 PM
RAK
05:40 AM
07:00 AM
12:45 PM
03:23 PM
05:39 PM
07:09 PM
Fujairah
05:38 AM
06:58 AM
12:45 PM
03:21 PM
05:37 PM
07:07 PM
Note: It is highly recommended to arrive at the mosque by 12:20 PM today to secure a space, as large congregations are expected for this historic first unified prayer.
New year traffic surge
If you are commuting today, be prepared for significant road activity. Emirates Airline has issued a "Red Alert" for this weekend, anticipating a massive surge in returning travelers. For those flying out of Dubai International (DXB), the advice is to arrive at the terminal at least four hours before departure.On the local roads, expect a "double rush." First, as schools now finish at 11:30 AM on Fridays to accommodate the new prayer schedule, and second, as the unified 12:45 PM timing concentrates mosque-bound traffic into a single window.