Dubai rolls out Eid Al Fitr prayer plan across more than 900 mosques
Friday prayers remain obligatory despite Eid falling on same day
DUBAI – Dubai has announced full preparations for Eid Al Fitr prayers across more than 900 mosques, with the special prayer set to begin at 6.40am on Friday, March 20.
Authorities said extensive coordination has been carried out to ensure worshippers can mark the occasion smoothly and safely across the emirate. The arrangements come after the UAE officially confirmed that Friday will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr following the completion of Ramadan.
The date was confirmed by the Presidential Court after the Moon-sighting Committee for Shawwal 1447 AH, affiliated with the UAE Council for Fatwa, met in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening, March 18. The committee said the Shawwal crescent was not sighted anywhere in the country, making Thursday, March 19, the final day of Ramadan.
Prayer plans
In Dubai, readiness has been completed at more than 900 mosques under arrangements coordinated by the Dubai Resilience Centre. The city will also continue the ‘Muezzin Al Freej’ initiative this year, with Eid Takbeerat and the call to prayer raised across mosques, creating a unified atmosphere for worshippers as the emirate welcomes Eid.
Authorities have also confirmed that Eid prayers will take place in mosques only, with no open-air prayer grounds or outdoor gatherings this year. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments & Zakat said the measure has been introduced to support public safety and ensure organised prayer arrangements nationwide.
This step is being implemented in coordination with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai and the Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah. Worshippers have been advised to arrive early and comply with all guidance issued by mosque authorities.
Friday ruling
This year’s Eid falls on a Friday, prompting clarification from the UAE Council for Fatwa on how both prayers should be observed. The council said Eid prayer and Friday prayer must each be performed at their prescribed times.
It explained that although some scholarly opinions allow those who attend Eid prayer to perform Dhuhr at home instead of attending Friday prayer, the majority view is that Friday congregational prayer remains obligatory and should still be held in mosques. The council said this approach preserves established religious practice and avoids disagreement on the matter.
Dubai mosques also began reciting Dua Al Qunoot during Fajr and Maghrib prayers from Wednesday, according to the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department. The department said the practice follows Prophetic tradition observed during times of hardship and forms part of wider efforts to organise mosque affairs and revive religious practices linked to exceptional circumstances.
The council also urged Muslims to make use of the final days of Ramadan through worship and good deeds, while marking Eid as an occasion to strengthen family ties, encourage reconciliation, and support vulnerable members of society including the poor, orphans and widows.