This year's Ramadan is set to coincide with one of the peak months for tourism in the UAE.
The holy month is expected to begin on March 1, with Eid Al Fitr predicted to fall on March 31. This crosses over with the tail-end of winter, the coolest time of year, which makes it a popular time for tourists with spring set to begin on March 20.
The religious period sees Muslims around the world fasting during daylight. Iftar and suhoor takes place throughout the evening as the fast is broken, with many UAE residents joining in the daily ritual. The holy month is also a time of slowing down, reflecting and coming together.
As a Muslim country, it's crucial to be respectful of those fasting throughout the month, whether you're Muslim or not, resident or a tourist. Traditionally, Ramadan was marked in a very different fashion in the UAE – with only a few restaurants open during fasting hours, and even then diners were seated behind curtains. There was no background music, and many bars and clubs were closed for the month.
Fast forward to 2025 and rules during the holy month have changed. Most cafes and restaurants can operate normally, and many extend their hours to be open from morning until midnight. Yet the expectation of culturally sensitivity still applies.
“The rules have relaxed a lot and I think it is a testament to the UAE’s understanding of its population and tourists visiting the UAE increasingly more and more throughout the years,” Ruqaya Al Hameeri, operations manager at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding, tells The National.
While there are no rules in place for tourists visiting the UAE, there are several points visitors should be aware of during Ramadan. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.
Do tourists need to dress modestly during Ramadan?
Ramadan is a good time to be considerate, opting for more modest outfits to respect those observing the holy month.
“The recommended dress code to fit in with the Ramadan vibes is to dress more modestly by wearing something that covers the shoulders and something long enough to cover the knees,” says Al Hameeri.
When you go to the mall or out in public don’t wear anything too tight and perhaps have a light jacket, cardigan or scarf to cover your shoulders if you’re wearing a sleeveless top. Embrace the season by wearing colourful abayas, kaftans or hand-tailored kandura, which can be bought at souqs, markets and shops across the country, then take it home as a souvenir. There’s no need for women to cover their hair unless they plan to visit a mosque.
That said, if you’re at the beach, by the pool or at a waterpark, beachwear is acceptable, even during Ramadan. Just cover up when you leave the waterside.
Can tourists drink water throughout the day during Ramadan?
Of course, travellers and non-Muslims can drink water at any time during the day, but it is best to do so discreetly.
Can tourists eat during Ramadan fasting hours?
Tourists do not need to fast during Ramadan, and most restaurants and cafes are open as normal. However, visitors should be discreet when eating and drinking in public during the holy month.
“There aren’t any major laws during the fasting hours of Ramadan but instead we have some etiquettes that are expected from non-Muslims. Some of these etiquettes are no eating, drinking, nor smoking in public areas,” says Al Hameeri.
Can you smoke in public during Ramadan?
It is advisable not to smoke in public places during the holy month. This applies to vaping, too.
Are mosques open to tourists during Ramadan?
Selected mosques are open to tourists during Ramadan.
“Jumeirah Mosque is open to all throughout the year and especially during the month of Ramadan,” says Al Hameeri. One of only a handful of mosques open to non-Muslims, the place of worship has two daily sessions that visitors can attend, one at 10am and one at 2pm, every day except Friday.
In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomes tourists daily, although it closes each evening for iftar before reopening until 1am. If you’re in the area, you’ll likely hear the iftar cannon firing, which signals the end of the day's fasting and the start of maghrib prayers. In the final ten days of Ramadan, which will be from March 31, the mosque will be closed to non-worshippers after sundown.
It's advisable to research the mosque's visitor policy before attending.
Do children need to observe any rules?
Children are not required to fast or follow any set rules during Ramadan. Non-Muslim and Muslim children are exempt from fasting, as Islamic law states that children do not need to fast until they reach adulthood. However, many local children choose to join in by fasting with their families.
How can tourists take part in Ramadan?
Go to an iftar
A key part of Ramadan is the daily fast, with Muslims abstaining from food and drinks during daylight hours. Iftar, the meal to break the fast each day, begins once the Sun has set and many hotels and restaurants offer special iftar menus. Go to at least one to soak in the spirit of the month.
At the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the cultural iftar experience is a fascinating way to connect with the local culture. Participants can try traditional food, learn more about the meaning behind fasting and Ramadan, have a guided tour of the mosque plus the chance to ask questions they may have to the knowledgeable Emirati guides.
Visit a night market
A long-running tradition in the UAE is the country's Ramadan night markets, when stalls are set up at spots around the cities to serve shoppers from sunset until the small hours. Shop for dates, Arabic lanterns, kaftans, oud and henna. Many vendors are local businesses or artisans, and the market is a place to showcase and sell their products. Hai Ramadan is taking place at Expo City Dubai this year, or head to Ramadan District at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Plaza Terrace where visitors can shop, snack and unwind in the shadow of Museum of the Future.
Try to fast
“Trying to fast during the holy month will really immerse tourists in the experience,” says Al Hameeri. To really embrace the holy month, try fasting even if it's just for a day or two.
Wish others 'Ramadan kareem'
While Ramadan kareem is the most widely used greeting during the holy month, travellers who want to embrace the season have a few other options.
“My favourite is mubarak alykom al shahr – it means congratulations on the month. But another easy one is Ramadan mubarak, which means Ramadan is a blessing,” says Al Hameeri.
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Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Ipaf in numbers
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Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
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Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
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How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
