DUBAI, UAE, June 29: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have announced a reduction in the duration of traditional Friday prayers due to the intense summer heat, with measures in place until the end of the season.

In many countries, Muslims typically perform the Friday noon prayers, which include a religious sermon, in open-air arenas both inside and outside mosques. However, the UAE has directed all preachers across the country to limit the Friday prayers to 10 minutes until early October to "ensure the safety of worshippers."

Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, the Presidency of Religious Affairs has announced that Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque (PBUH) in Medina will be limited to 15 minutes. This measure is intended to protect worshippers praying in outer, unshaded areas.

In Iraq, influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has also urged preachers to "adhere to simple prayers" to keep the Friday sermon short and help worshippers avoid the intense heat.

The Middle East has been experiencing severe heat waves in recent weeks, affecting millions of people across the region. The extreme weather has already had deadly consequences; more than 1,300 Muslim pilgrims died during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which ended earlier in June, due to the extreme heat.

These steps reflect the authorities' commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of worshippers during extreme weather conditions.