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Eid Al Fitr in UAE: Prayer timings announced across 7 Emirates

Mosques and large open spaces called Eid musallahs in the country host special prayers shortly after sunrise

Published: Thu 20 Apr 2023, 3:35 PM

Updated: Fri 21 Apr 2023, 6:47 AM

  • By
  • Sahim Salim and SM Ayaz Zakir

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The first day of Eid Al Fitr 2023 is Friday, April 21, which is also the first day of Islamic calendar month Shawwal.

Islamic months last for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the Moon is sighted. With the Moon being spotted on Thursday, the holy month of Ramadan lasted for 29 days.

This means UAE residents will get a 4-day break to celebrate the Islamic festival that is marked after a month of fasting.

Muslims offer special congregational prayers on the first day of Eid. Mosques and large open spaces called Eid musallahs host the special prayers shortly after sunrise. Khaleej Times can reveal the timings of the prayers across the Emirates:

  • Abu Dhabi: 6.12am
  • Dubai: 6.10am
  • Sharjah city: 6.07am
  • Ajman: 6.07am
  • Umm Al Quwain: 6.07am
  • Ras Al Khaimah: 6.05am
  • Fujairah: 6.05am

Will there be two sermons on Friday?

The special Eid prayer is followed by a sermon. Since Eid is on Friday, mosques will host two sermons: One for Eid and the other for the Jumuah prayers.

According to the Fatwa Council of the UAE, both prayers and sermons will be performed separately.

“The issue of performing Friday prayer if Eid Al Fitr falls on Friday is a controversial matter among Muslim scholars. However, the council rules that each sermon is to be held separately on its time as per its sunnah,'' the council said in a statement.

It noted that this ruling was approved by majority of Muslim scholars and leading Islamic schools.

How the Eid prayer is offered

The Eid prayer is a congregational one and consists of two units (raka’ah). In the first, the Imam will lead worshippers in offering multiple takbirs before reciting the surah Fatiha and another chapter from the holy Quran. In the second unit, too, multiple takbirs are said. At the end of the prayer, the Imam will give a two-part sermon.

Muslims are expected to listen to the sermon before hugging their loved ones Eid Mubarak and beginning the day’s festivities.

Eid Al Fitr marks the first long weekend of 2023 and comes after a month of fasting, where Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk.

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