The time for Friday prayers and sermons at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madina will be reduced to 15 minutes during the summer, according to recent announcements. This decision aims to help worshippers cope with the intense heat that hits these holy cities during the summer months.
Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sudais, who oversees religious affairs at these prominent mosques, made this announcement. He emphasized that the reduction in prayer and sermon time is intended to make it easier for people to perform their religious duties without facing the discomfort of the scorching weather.
Previously, Friday prayers and sermons lasted between 30 to 45 minutes, but with temperatures soaring, this change is seen as a necessary adjustment. The heat in Makkah and Madina is most intense from 11 AM to 4 PM, coinciding with the prayer times. This has led to the decision to shorten the duration to 15 minutes until the end of the summer.
This change is particularly important now, as large crowds are gathering in Makkah and Madina. Pilgrims and worshippers visiting these sacred sites during the summer often find the heat challenging. The new measure by the Saudi leadership reflects a considerate approach to easing the experience for those attending Friday prayers.
