Gulf countries restrict outdoor Eid prayers amid regional war tensions

Gulf countries restrict outdoor Eid prayers amid regional war tensions Several Gulf countries, including Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, on Friday restricted Eid al-Fitr prayers to mosques, suspending large outdoor gatherings amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing conflict. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said worshippers should avoid traditional open-air prayer grounds, where large crowds typically gather, "as a precautionary measure", as governments reassess public safety. Worshippers attend prayers for Eid al-Fitr at Sheikh Abdul-Qadir al-Jilani Shrine in Baghdad on 20 March 2026. AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP

Several Gulf countries, including Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, on Friday restricted Eid al-Fitr prayers to mosques, suspending large outdoor gatherings amid heightened tensions linked to the ongoing conflict.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said worshippers should avoid traditional open-air prayer grounds, where large crowds typically gather, "as a precautionary measure", as governments reassess public safety.