Saudi Arabia Announces New Prayer Times Following Return to Daylight Saving Time in 2024

Saudi Arabia has officially announced new prayer times that will take effect following the country's return to daylight saving time in 2024. The updated prayer times are designed to account for the change in daylight hours and ensure accurate timing of daily prayers across the nation.

According to the announcement, the new prayer times will be adjusted based on the Umm Al-Qura calculation method. This will result in changes to the Fajr and Isha prayer times in particular. The Fajr prayer will now start when the sun is at an 18.5-degree angle below the horizon, while the Isha prayer will begin 90 minutes after sunset, in line with the Hanbali, Maliki, and Shafi'i schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

The specific prayer times for major cities have also been released. In Jeddah, the Fajr prayer will be at 4:35 AM, Sunrise at 5:55 AM, Dhuhr at 12:21 PM, Asr at 3:44 PM, Maghrib at 6:47 PM, and Isha at 8:17 PM. Meanwhile, in Dammam, Eastern Province, the Fajr prayer starts at 03:41, Dhuhr at 11:37, Asr at 15:08, Maghrib at 18:09, and Isha at 19:39. These times are determined by the precise position of the sun in the sky and may vary slightly from day to day.

Why this matters: The return to daylight saving time and subsequent changes to prayer times will impact the daily routines of millions of Muslims across Saudi Arabia. The adjustments aim to provide more accurate and consistent prayer times in line with Islamic principles and the sun's position.

The new prayer times will officially go into effect starting from the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH, which corresponds to April 26, 2024. "This update is aimed at providing more accurate and consistent prayer times for the region," the announcement stated. As Saudi Arabia prepares to reintroduce daylight saving time next year, the updated prayer schedule ensures that worshippers can continue to fulfill their religious obligations with precision and adherence to Islamic guidelines.

Key Takeaways

• Saudi Arabia to update prayer times in 2024 due to daylight saving time.
• Fajr prayer will start at 18.5-degree sun angle, Isha 90 mins after sunset.
• Prayer times for major cities like Jeddah and Dammam have been released.
• Changes aim to provide more accurate and consistent prayer times for Muslims.
• New prayer times effective from the first day of Ramadan 1445 AH (April 26, 2024).