What is the impact of Ramadan in Dubai?

It is Ramadan in Dubai recently. There are many customs here. Of course if we visit here we need to respect it too. Today we will take a look at what will happen if we go to Dubai during Ramadan!

Ramadan Food for Non-Muslims

Restaurant Dining: During Ramadan, some restaurants are closed during daytime fasting periods, especially Arabic and Halal restaurants. Generally, restaurants along the street are closed or blocked. Some restaurants can provide takeout but not in the lobby.

In order to take care of the customer source market, hotels, shopping malls, and tourist attractions will of course open some restaurants and continue to operate, but they will use shelters to create private spaces. So during the fasting period, although there will be fewer dining options in Dubai, it is not that there is nothing to eat, and there are even many dining options.

Based on Dubai’s increasing tolerance for Ramadan restaurants, approvals are becoming more relaxed. I believe that more restaurants can open during Ramadan this year and it will not cause too much trouble to non-Muslims.

Bring your own dry food: Although restaurants are closed during the fasting period, most supermarkets are open as normal. You can buy dry food and drinks, and you can also buy vegetables to cook at home. For friends who are traveling during this period, it is recommended to buy some dry food in the supermarket. When you are hungry, find a deserted corner to eat secretly.

Note, it is best to wrap food with opaque tape and try not to let others see it.

Ramadan, a month of self-cultivation

Ramadan emphasizes self-cultivation and self-cultivation. Many entertainment venues will be closed, and non-Muslims will also spend this Ramadan together. Some casinos, such as bars, are closed during Ramadan, and many hotels will suspend or offer limited alcoholic beverages.

If the police catch you drinking openly during Ramadan, you will be serving jail time (until the end of Ramadan). Likewise, smoking is not allowed in public places. During Ramadan, people are theoretically expected to dress more conservatively and excessive intimacy in public places will face greater scrutiny.

For tourists coming to Dubai during Ramadan, don’t worry too much. Basic tourism projects will continue as usual, and all shopping malls will operate normally (their business hours will also be extended). Only the opening hours and procedures of some projects and attractions will be adjusted. For example, the sand washing project during Ramadan does not provide belly dancing performances.

In addition, playing loud music in public places is also prohibited during Ramadan.

Working hours changed

For most people in Dubai, working hours will be reduced during Ramadan. The Dubai government requires employees in all industries to reduce their working hours by at least 2 hours during Ramadan, and companies that violate the regulations will face fines if they are investigated.

However, the law also stipulates that employees can choose to work overtime, up to two hours. However, employers cannot force employees to work overtime for more than two hours. The law stipulates that this overtime has additional overtime pay. In addition, the law also allows employers to propose their own Ramadan work arrangements to employees in advance.

All in all, for most people in Dubai, Ramadan means "getting off work early." However, for service industries or consumer industries, such as marketing, shopping mall sales, etc., since shopping malls will extend their business hours during Ramadan, the off-duty time of such employees will also be extended accordingly.

Department Ramadan Timetable

State-run Section

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Metro

Red Line : 5:00am-12:00am (Sunday-Wednesday); 5:00am-1:00am (Thursday); 10am-1am (Friday)

Green Line: Morning 5:30-12:00 (Sunday-Wednesday); 5:30-1:00 am (Thursday); 10 am-1 am (Friday)

Tram: 6:00 am to 01:00 (Sunday-Thursday); 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (Friday)

Public *** parking spaces

Two free parking spaces from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Hour. The rest is the same as usual.

School

8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Changes in other cities

Depression off-season:

Muslims cannot eat or drink during Ramadan, and they do not want to waste energy on hot days, so the entire city is closed during Ramadan. It seems very depressing during the day, especially in the morning. Ramadan is also the loneliest month of the year and is known as the off-season, and business for many companies is also very light. Many foreigners or locals working in Dubai also use the off-season of Ramadan to go on vacation or return home to visit relatives.

The excitement of the night:

After a depressing day, there will be a lively night. Shopping malls and public places will be busier than usual after Ramadan, as people in Dubai gather strength after working hours are reduced. Every day is like a festival. Since many shops are closed during the day, opening hours tend to be extended in the evening, especially shopping malls and restaurants, and of course some trade markets.

Government work efficiency becomes lower:

During Ramadan, government working hours are also shortened, so the efficiency of handling government affairs during Ramadan tends to decrease. Everyone should pay attention to the government’s working hours during Ramadan to avoid being turned away.

Changes in rush hours:

Due to changes in working hours, Ramadan will also change rush hours, there is not much difference in the morning.

Since many companies get off work at 2 p.m., and 2 to 4 p.m. become the rush hour for off-duty traffic, the traffic jam will become even more serious.

Mosques are more popular than usual:

During Ramadan, basically every mosque will provide alms for the poor to enjoy for free, so after fasting, a large number of Muslims are at the door of every mosque Sit on the floor and enjoy a free fasting dinner. If a mosque is set up on a side street, the entire road will be occupied by diners. Even non-Muslims are sometimes invited by enthusiastic people.

Tips for Ramadan Life

For tourists, it is important to know the opening hours of attractions in advance: During Ramadan, many attractions will adjust their opening hours. Be sure to check the official website before going to avoid delaying your trip.

Drive safely: There is a spike in traffic accidents every year during Ramadan as hungry Muslim drivers may suffer from hypoglycemia or lack concentration.

Beggars: Ramadan is a month full of goodwill, during which many street beggars suddenly appear. This kind of begging is not like squatting and fishing in China, where strangers will come up and ask for money directly. Most of the reasons are poor, old, young, and unable to cook the pot quickly.

But begging is illegal in Dubai, and the government also says that such beggars are basically scammers. If people in Dubai encounter this situation, the first thing they should do is say no. If they are entangled, lying to the police is your best bet.

Handle government affairs in advance and pay attention to relevant government working hours: Due to the reduced efficiency of the government during Ramadan, try to complete the necessary government procedures before Ramadan to avoid wasting time. When handling government affairs during Ramadan, please pay attention to the government's working hours.

Okay, everyone, pay attention to this information. There are a lot of things to do in Dubai during Ramadan.

You can experience the rich Arabic culture!