Preparations for Eid ul Fitr 2026 have started in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East, a major change has been made by the UAE administration regarding Eid. The UAE has banned places of offering prayers in the open and has announced that Eid prayers will be offered only in mosques.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowment and Zakat has announced this. This major change has been made due to the tension and sensitivity created in the Gulf region due to the war between America, Israel and Iran. This change is giving a new shape to the way of celebrating Eid this year.

Appeal to follow the rules

Usually in UAE, people celebrate Eid ul Fitr with prayers by gathering in open spaces. Thousands of people gather since morning to celebrate Eid, but this time it will not be seen like this. This has been confirmed by the officials. An appeal has been made to the worshipers to follow the guidelines of the mosque and reach before time to avoid crowd.

Claim of arrangements to handle the crowd

This change related to Eid namaz seems to be related to management. However, Eid namaz is not limited to just a religious obligation, but it is also linked to the emotions of the people. People can offer namaz together with their families in the open fields. At the same time, more people gather in mosques than the space available. However, people have been assured that complete arrangements have been made to handle the crowd in mosques.

The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowment and Zakah announced the establishment of Eid al-Fitr prayer inside the mosque at the state level. pic.twitter.com/8eyBRsGH9J

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) March 17, 2026

No change in namaz timings

There has been no change in the timing of Eid prayers. Let us tell you that in UAE, Eid prayers are usually offered between 5.45 am to 6.30 am after sunrise, after which sermons and prayers are given.

The purpose of this decision is to ensure the safety of the people and to organize this large-scale event smoothly. This becomes more important when there is uncertainty in the area.

During the Zero Hour of Lok Sabha, BJP MP from Meerut Arun Govil demanded installation of CCTV cameras in mosques and madrassas. He said that these are also big public and community places, where it is very important to ensure security. He made it clear that the purpose of his statement is not to oppose any religion, but to protect the citizens of the country.

Arun Govil said that today CCTV cameras have been installed in temples, churches, gurudwaras, colleges, hospitals, markets and most public places across the country. He said that these cameras have proved to be very effective in transparency, security and crime control. But, according to him, this system is not yet implemented in mosques and madrassas, whereas these are also big public places where many people come and go every day and security is equally important.

‘Cameras are also installed in Mecca and Madrassas of Saudi Arabia’

Govil said, ‘For security reasons, CCTV cameras have been installed in Mecca and Madrassas of Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam. This system can be adopted there by giving priority to safety, then why is there hesitation in implementing similar safety standards in India?

He stressed that if security is paramount at a holy place like Mecca, then the same principle should be adopted in India.

Appeal to the government to make a uniform national security policy

Arun Govil appealed to the Central Government to formulate a similar national security policy, under which cameras should be made mandatory in mosques and madrasas as has been done in temples, schools and other public places. He said, “This will further strengthen our national security system.”

After this statement of Govil, the discussion on safety standards has once again intensified. Many people are considering it as a necessary step towards equal security policy, while some are also calling it a controversial issue. But Govil is firm on his statement and says that security is for everyone and no one should have any objection to it.

Maharashtra News: The controversy has deepened once with loudspeakers from mosques in Maharashtra. BJP leader Kiriti Somaiya has said that the sound of loudspeakers from mosques should stop. Apart from this, he also alleged that in the last few years, encroachments have been done in the name of mosques.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said on Saturday (April 12), “The loud sound from loudspeakers of mosques should stop now. In recent years, religion has been misused in three ways: on one hand it has been used to pursue a particular agenda.”

Mumbai, Maharashtra: BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya Says, “The Loud Noise from Mosque LoudSpeakers Shoulders Used to push a particular ageda; on another, Extremist Propaganda has been… pic.twitter.com/kw2jgngach

– IANS (@ians_india) April 12, 2025

‘Land occupied in the name of mosque’
He further said, “On the other hand, radical campaigning has been done through loudspeakers and the third side has been encroached on the ground in the name of mosques. In this context, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his government have now implemented appropriate rules. I welcome this decision of Devendra Fadnavis.”