Prayer Times in Muscat

About Prayer Times in Muscat

Muscat, the capital of Oman, is a city of approximately 1.5 million people nestled between the Al-Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman. Oman's population is almost entirely Muslim, with approximately 45–50% following the Ibadi school of Islam — a distinct tradition older than both Sunni and Shia branches — and the remainder predominantly Sunni. The Ibadi tradition, historically centred in Oman, emphasises scholarly consensus, moderation, and a distinct jurisprudential heritage that sets Oman apart from its Gulf neighbours.

Oman's prayer times are published by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs using a calculation method aligned with the Umm al-Qura standard, applied consistently across the country. At 23.6°N, Muscat's prayer schedule varies moderately through the year — Fajr falls between approximately 4:15 AM (summer) and 5:50 AM (winter), and Maghrib between 5:55 PM and 6:45 PM. The ministry coordinates mosque operations and ensures all Adhan announcements align with the official schedule.

The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, completed in 2001 and named after Oman's late ruler, is one of the largest mosques in the world by area, accommodating over 20,000 worshippers inside and 8,000 more in its grounds. It houses the world's second-largest hand-woven Iranian carpet and a Swarovski crystal chandelier of extraordinary scale. The mosque is open to non-Muslim visitors on weekday mornings and is Oman's most visited landmark. The old Mutrah Corniche area of Muscat features historic neighbourhood mosques whose calls to prayer have echoed across the harbour for centuries.