Overview
- Mosques across the country reported early, orderly turnout on the first day, with worshippers arriving ahead of time and services running calmly.
- The nationwide congregational time is now fixed at 12:45 p.m., with some local practice variations observed such as earlier calls to prayer or a brief gap before the congregational start.
- Dubai’s education regulator said private schools will end Fridays by 11:30 a.m. from January 9 to align with the new schedule.
- Parents voiced concerns about a tight window for students to reach mosques and the potential for heavier traffic when schools reopen.
- Transport operators responded to concentrated Friday movement and New Year travel, with Emirates issuing a Red Alert for returning passengers and the RTA boosting Metro and Tram frequencies.