Ramadan, the month of fasting, is the holiest month on the Islamic calendar – the Hijri Calendar. This month comes right after Shaaban and is followed by Shawwal. In addition, Ramadan is known for fasting, prayers, family gatherings and charity vibes. You will notice streets along the UAE filled with Ramadan decorations, crescent moons, and lanterns as well. Also, many restaurants have buffets for breaking your fast (Iftar) and pre-fasting meals (Suhur). In addition to the well-known Ramadan 2024 tents that are designed to dine and celebrate the Holy month.
UAE Ramadan 2024 Overview
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This is the first year in decades that Ramadan comes in spring. This means less heat and easier fasting for Muslims. In addition to shorter fasting hours compared to Ramadan 2023 and the years before. With a slight difference in day length due to changes in sunrise and sunset times.
When it comes to Ramadan timing for prayers, prayer times change slightly daily and from one emirate to another. Sequentially, make a 10-minute time shift between the first day and the last day of Ramadan in Dubai. For example, during the first day of Ramadan 2024 Fajr prayer and fasting starting time will be at 4:46 AM. Additionally, the time for the Iftar meal, the Maghrib Prayer will be at 6:48 PM. In contrast, people will start fasting on the last day at 4:31 AM and break their fast at 6:58 PM. Also, note that timings may differ in other emirates.
2024 Ramadan Date
Ramadan, just like all Islamic lunar months, begins with the sight of the month’s crescent moon. Furthermore, every year upon the sight of the Ramadan moon in a crescent shape, the month’s beginning is confirmed. This year, Ramadan 2024 is expected astronomically to fall in March. However, since the crescent time isn’t fixed for all months, an official announcement will be made on the day before.
- First Day of Ramadan: March 10, 2024.
- Last Day of Ramadan: April 9, 2024.
Ramadan Activities and Practices in UAE
Almost 75% of UAE residents are Muslims, thus many people will be fasting across the Emirates. In addition, there are many things to do in Ramadan in the UAE. But the month’s main practices include:
- Fasting
- During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Fasting is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. It includes refraining from eating, drinking, and smoking from early morning hours to sunset. As well as focusing on spiritual disciplines. The majority of the UAE’s locals and residents are Muslims and commit to fasting during the holy month.
- Prayer
- In addition to the five regular prayers, Ramadan is distinguished by the Taraweeh Prayer. This prayer takes place after Isha, and it can be performed individually or with a group at home or in a mosque. Due to this prayer, UAE mosque visitors increase greatly during Ramadan.
- Reflection
- Detaching from drinking, eating and smoking helps an individual to focus on other non-materialistic matters. This mainly includes spiritual reflections, which allow people to rethink, repent, and reflect on how to be better. Muslims of the UAE seem more calm, spiritual and compassionate during Ramadan.
- Community Work & Charity
- Community work is a key element of Ramadan in the UAE. The same can be said for charity. Many people take this month as a chance to help those in need. In addition, many UAE charities help distribute people’s contributions and donations to those in need during the holy month. In other words, it is a month of charitable work.
- Bonding with Family
- It’s the month of rebuilding family ties where Muslim families break their fast together and gather for Suhoor and prayers. UAE family gatherings during Ramadan are valued. It is a great bonding activity to decorate your home with cosy Ramadan decorations to celebrate the month together.
What Changes During Ramadan in The UAE?
Ramadan brings many religious and cultural changes to the UAE people and their lifestyles including non-Muslims. The whole Muslim community shows a slight difference in terms of attitude and lifestyle. In addition to formal governmental major changes, especially regarding working hours. Here are some key aspects below.
UAE Work Hours During Ramadan
Ramadan is known to be a month of active nights full of prayers, gatherings, TV shows, and outdoor activities. As citizens’ lifestyles change, Muslim countries tend to change their official working hours as well. Every year, the UAE government announces reduced working hours for the public and private sectors. Except for those whose working nature requires longer hours. Many government offices close early, since working hours are minimised to 6 instead of 8 hours a day during Ramadan.
- UAE Ramadan working hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
UAE Restaurants
Most restaurants and cafes around the UAE are closed during the daytime. They start in the afternoon to prepare for opening in Iftar time. Meanwhile, many restaurants hold buffets with many pastries, salads and soup options as those dishes are highly demanded during Ramadan. Alongside many other main dishes that meet the craves of a 10-hour fast.
Moreover, Iftar tents are another dining destination for both Muslims and non-Muslims, where they can enjoy Ramadan gatherings and activities. They open at sunset with lavish buffets for Iftar and Suhoor meals. Below are famous restaurants holding buffets with a variety of sweets, salads, soups and a wide range of main dishes.
- Ramadan Majlis
- Location: The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
- Working hours:
- 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM (Sunday – Wednesday)
- 7:00 PM – 3:00 AM (Thursday – Saturday)
- Contact details: +971 4 556 0888
- The Abu Dhabi Edition
- Location: Marina, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
- Working hours:
- Iftar: sunset – 9:30 PM (Daily)
- Suhor: from 10:30 PM (Daily)
- Contact details: +971 2 208 0000
- Tamba Restaurant
- Location: Central Market Project, Abu Dhabi
- Working hours: 12:00 PM – 4:00 AM (Daily)
- Contact details: +971 2 672 8888
- Nahaam
- Location: Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi
- Working hours:
- 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Sunday – Friday)
- 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM (Saturday)
- Contact details: +971 2 811 5666
Note that restaurants’ working hours may differ during the month of Ramadan.
UAE Ramadan Nightlife
UAE is famous for its active and diverse nightlife during Ramadan. These Ramadan nights are busted with so many things to do indoors or outdoors along with many places to visit. On the other hand, restaurants, cafes, malls and shops are open for late hours, almost all night! Families and friends gather daily to have Iftar or Suhor together all around the UAE. Gathering at homes, restaurants, hotel lounges or Ramadan Tents tastes different for sure. Also, families decorate their Iftar tables to have their loved ones over almost all night, not only for the iftar meal. What’s more, every year around the UAE there are special Ramadan tents that host cultural activities and entertainment. In addition to many community Iftar events and fundraising for the poor.
Additionally, overcrowded streets in UAE are a common phenomenon during the last hour preceding the Iftar. As many people would gather outside. In addition to the crowd at night especially during the rush hours before and after Isha and Taraweeh Prayers. Furthermore, Mosques on Ramadan nights in UAE are crowded due to an increase in worship activities. People perform extended prayers that are held every night, Taraweeh. This prayer is dedicated only during Ramadan and is held in most of the mosques around the UAE. Follows mosques holding Taraweeh Prayers during Ramadan 2024 in UAE:
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
- Location: Al Rawdah, Abu Dhabi
- Mary the Mother of Jesus Mosque
- Location: Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi
- Jumeirah Mosque
- Location: Jumeirah 1, Dubai
- Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque
- Location: Al Safa 1, Dubai
Tips for Expats during Ramadan in UAE
If you are a non-Muslim living in or visiting the UAE during Ramadan, you may find it confusing to deal with such days. As lifestyle changes, you need a secret whisper for some tips on acting properly in Ramadan:
- Dress modestly in public out of respect. You will notice that the whole community turns to modest clothing including men.
- Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in front of those who are fasting. Out of respect and to avoid legal penalties because eating is prohibited during Ramadan daytime in UAE.
- Learn about Iftar and Suhoor, the meals to break the fasting and start it.
- Greet your Muslim friends and colleagues with Ramadan greetings.
- Be patient with reduced services and business hours around.
- Visit Ramadan tents to experience Emirati hospitality and Ramadan-trending dishes. Also to join different Ramadan activities to experience the vibes.
- Accept invitations on Suhoor and Iftar from Muslim colleagues and feel free to invite back.
- Enjoy the decorations and the Ramadan lanterns everywhere and attend gatherings as possible to try Luqaimat, Baklava and Harees.
FAQ
During Ramadan, fasting lasts from the early hours of dawn, just before the Fajr prayer, until sunset, precisely at the Maghrib prayer time. This daily practice continues throughout the holy month, spanning 29 to 30 days, depending on the lunar calendar.
You can use Ramadan greetings a day before Ramadan and during the whole month. The most popular Ramadan greetings in Arabic are:
Malls are open daily during Ramadan from 10 AM to receive shoppers. However, they close at late hours at night ranging from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM depending on the mall, days of the week and the quarter of Ramadan. Malls work for longer hours during weekends and the last quarter of Ramadan to cover shoppers’ needs for Eid.
Iftar, the meal for breaking the fast, is eagerly awaited each evening after the Maghrib prayer. It marks the end of the day’s fast, allowing Muslims to eat and drink until the next day’s Sehri, just before dawn.
Eid Prayer in the UAE will be at 7:00 AM on April 9, 2024. Which falls on the first of Shawwal. To summarise, Ramadan is a spiritual month for Muslims.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi don’t completely close during Ramadan, in fact, many popular tourist attractions will be less busy during this time, and lots of upscale hotels will have special events for iftar, so it can be an ideal time to plan a visit to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Life may change a bit during Ramadan especially the last days, when people show less power and hybridity. Ramadan 2024 will be in March and will bring so many happy moments and meals. Read more about the UAE in our blog, Property Finder Blog and stay connected.
