Friday prayer in UAE to be held at 12:45 pm from Jan.2, 2026

The General Authority for Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has announced that the Friday prayer will be held at 12:45 pm, starting from Friday, Jan.2, 2026. The authority urged all worshippers to adhere to the new time and arrive early for the prayer.

Private sector employers in the UAE have flexibility for Friday prayer breaks, with some allowing an extended break or flexible hours while others may not have a mandatory Friday half-day like the public sector.

The public sector now officially has a half-day on Friday, with prayer times standardised currently at 1:15 pm, but private sector arrangements vary company by company.

Unlike the public sector’s standardised half-day, private companies determine their own Friday work schedules. This can include maintaining a full workday, offering a shortened day, or providing an extended break for prayers.

Some companies may provide an extended lunch break to accommodate prayer times, which can be around two hours for those who need to attend Friday prayers.

Many private sector companies, especially those that have adopted the new labour law, are encouraged to adopt flexible or hybrid working policies to accommodate employees’ needs, including prayer breaks.

The official time for Friday prayer across the UAE is currently set at 1:15 pm, which may influence how private companies structure their Friday breaks.

The UAE Labour Law obligates private sector employers to provide their Muslim employees with an appropriate break to attend Friday prayers (Jumuah).

The law requires employers to grant a suitable break for Jumuah prayers, which are at present held after 1:15pm across the UAE.

Employers can implement flexible working arrangements, such as allowing employees to work from home on Fridays or adjusting schedules to accommodate the prayer break, as long as the total weekly working hours do not exceed the maximum stipulated by law (generally 48 hours per week).

The time taken for the mandatory daily breaks (including prayer) is not typically calculated within the official working hours. However, employers often provide a two-hour extended break on Friday to facilitate prayer attendance without salary deductions.

All employees are entitled to one or more breaks totaling at least one hour if they work for five consecutive hours. These breaks cover rest, meals, and prayers.

For official guidance, employees and employers can consult the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) website or refer to their specific employment contracts and company policies.