UAE cuts Friday sermons to 10 minutes amid scorching summer heat

With temperatures soaring past 50°C, UAE authorities have mandated that Friday sermons and prayers be limited to 10 minutes across the nation's mosques.

This directive, effective from June 28 to October, aims to shield worshippers from the intense summer heat.

Friday, the holiest day for Muslims, sees special congregational prayers known as Jum’uah, often drawing large crowds.

Due to limited indoor space, many worshippers end up praying in mosque courtyards under the hot sun. This move is expected to offer significant relief.

Mohammed Yaseen, a Syrian expatriate who attends Jum’uah in Dubai Sports City, praised the decision. "Recently, I had to pray outside and felt like my hair was about to catch fire," he remarked. "I hope imams will also opt for shorter verses to make the prayer more bearable."

Sermons usually last between 10 and 20 minutes, followed by a two-unit congregational prayer. However, during summer, it's common to see worshippers praying outside mosques due to overcrowding.

Dubai-based Islamic preacher Imam Ayaz Housee acknowledged the community's anticipation for Friday sermons but stressed the importance of the new measure. "The community eagerly awaits the sermon each week and strives to attend, even when mosques are full," he said.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments stated that the 10-minute cap aligns with Islamic practices aimed at safeguarding community health. Imam Housee added, "Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) advocated for concise and impactful sermons, emphasizing brevity in khutbahs as a sign of understanding religion."

Sudanese expatriate Mohammed al Hassan echoed this sentiment, noting the challenges posed by the extreme heat. "With temperatures exceeding 40°C, praying outside is extremely difficult. Reducing prayer time to 10 minutes will greatly help those unable to find space inside the mosque," he said. "It's a small change that significantly enhances comfort and well-being."

The UAE has recorded temperatures between 48 and 50°C in recent days, with the heat expected to persist through July and August. Yaseen highlighted another practical concern: "After prayers, even shoes left outside heat up to the point where you must wait to wear them again. This adjustment is a sensible move."

In a related effort, Saudi Arabia recently implemented a similar policy, capping Friday sermons and prayers at 15 minutes at the Two Holy Mosques for the summer.