Omar Al-Darai explains the reason for moving the Friday prayer time to 12:45 pm from next January 2

The head of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Darai, revealed that the decision to amend the time for Friday prayers in all mosques in the country, to be at 12:45 noon, starting on Friday, the second of January 2026, was taken based on societal reasons after a study that lasted about 4 years.

Al-Darai said: “The decision to advance the date of the Friday sermon comes within the framework of harmony with the societal meaning of Friday, family gathering, and positive interaction with the circumstances of Emirati society. Not everyone who receives Friday prayers is an employee, including employees and non-employees, including the elderly, the retiree, and the young.”

He added, in a video interview with the social influencer, Abdullah bin Dafna: “Determining this time came after a period of approximately 4 years since the implementation of the work decision on Friday, and this early came in order to consolidate the meaning of the family gathering and the family session,” denying that amending the date was related to the fatwa.

Al-Darai continued: “Dhuhr time extends to the afternoon, and according to Sharia law, the timing of the Friday prayer at any time between noon and the afternoon is considered a valid time and the Friday prayer is performed in it, meaning performing the Friday prayer at one and a half o’clock is permissible, and moving the time forward to 12.45 is also permissible. Therefore, the decision does not have any legal meaning, but what is intended is a societal meaning, and it was taken as a matter of interaction with society.”

Al-Darai pointed out that the platform and services provided to the public are based on their suggestions and based on the general situation required by society, especially since we are approaching the Year of the Family, may God make it a year of happiness and affection, in which the Emirati family will witness greater cohesion, growth and cohesion under our wise leadership.

It is worth noting that “Emirates Today” had published the concern of some students and their parents that the decision to advance the Friday prayer time would cause confusion in the routine of leaving schools and joining “mosques.” While “Emirates Today” contacted the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, to inquire about the decision and the position of students registered on school buses whose journey takes an hour after the end of the school day, which prevents them from joining Friday prayers in the mosque, but it did not receive a response to its inquiries.