Illuminated Ramadan decorations in Dubai.
Illuminated Ramadan decorations in Dubai.
A festive mood has taken hold in the city. AFP
A festive mood has taken hold in the city. AFP
Animal decorations light up Al Seef at Dubai Creek, as the city gets into the festive spirit. AFP
Animal decorations light up Al Seef at Dubai Creek, as the city gets into the festive spirit. AFP
People shop for fresh food and vegetables as they prepare for Ramadan. AFP
People shop for fresh food and vegetables as they prepare for Ramadan. AFP
Middle Eastern spices are used in many local dishes traditionally served during the holy month. AFP
Middle Eastern spices are used in many local dishes traditionally served during the holy month. AFP
Shopkeepers ensure they are well stocked to cope with demand. AFP
Shopkeepers ensure they are well stocked to cope with demand. AFP
Shops enjoy the calm before busy Ramadan nights. AFP
Shops enjoy the calm before busy Ramadan nights. AFP
The joy of the holy month can be seen at every corner, with decorations galore. AFP
The joy of the holy month can be seen at every corner, with decorations galore. AFP
The open market in Dubai has been busy ahead of the holy month, with people stocking up on ingredients for iftar and suhoor. AFP
The open market in Dubai has been busy ahead of the holy month, with people stocking up on ingredients for iftar and suhoor. AFP
A mosque's minaret is pictured with the world's tallest tower – the Burj Khalifa – in the background as Ramadan gets under way in the UAE from Tuesday. AFP
A mosque's minaret is pictured with the world's tallest tower – the Burj Khalifa – in the background as Ramadan gets under way in the UAE from Tuesday. AFP

UAE

UAE private sector working hours announced for Ramadan 2022

Working day will be reduced by two hours

Sarah Forster
Sarah Forster

March 15, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Working hours for the private sector during Ramadan were announced on Tuesday by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

Employees will be allowed to reduce their work day by two hours during the holy month.

The UAE announced on Monday evening the return of iftar tents during Ramadan for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The marquees have been cancelled for the past two years to prevent gatherings and limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Ramadan is expected to begin on April 2, but the start date is to be confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee.

Ramadan in the UAE - in pictures

The sun sets over a mosque during Ramadan at Al Bahya in Abu Dhabi on May 31, 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The sun sets over a mosque during Ramadan at Al Bahya in Abu Dhabi on May 31, 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Muslims arrive shortly before sunset to break their fast in Dubai on May 23, 2018. EPA
Muslims arrive shortly before sunset to break their fast in Dubai on May 23, 2018. EPA
Men share iftar at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Men share iftar at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Muslims have iftar at the Kuwaiti mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Muslims have iftar at the Kuwaiti mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Men break their fast at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Men break their fast at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Staff pour porridge in small containers ready to serve for iftar at Wonder Chef Catering in Al Quoz, Dubai, on May 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Staff pour porridge in small containers ready to serve for iftar at Wonder Chef Catering in Al Quoz, Dubai, on May 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Muslims pray before iftar at the Kuwaiti mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Muslims pray before iftar at the Kuwaiti mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Men prepare an area for communal iftar at Lootah Masjid Mosque, Deira, Dubai, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Men prepare an area for communal iftar at Lootah Masjid Mosque, Deira, Dubai, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
People queue for takeaway iftar meals in Deira, Dubai, in 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
People queue for takeaway iftar meals in Deira, Dubai, in 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Men prepare for iftar at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, in 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Men prepare for iftar at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, in 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Staff prepare iftar meals in Al Quoz, Dubai, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
Staff prepare iftar meals in Al Quoz, Dubai, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National
A cat follows a man in front of the Bani Hashim Mosque, Abu Dhabi, in 2018. AFP
A cat follows a man in front of the Bani Hashim Mosque, Abu Dhabi, in 2018. AFP
Jordanian Nasser Nihad Ibrahim competes in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award in 2018. The annual event consists of readings from the Quran. AFP
Jordanian Nasser Nihad Ibrahim competes in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award in 2018. The annual event consists of readings from the Quran. AFP
Women perform evening prayers at Al Qasba Mosque, Sharjah, in 2018. EPA
Women perform evening prayers at Al Qasba Mosque, Sharjah, in 2018. EPA
People walk under illuminated decorations at Qanat Al Qasba, Sharjah, in 2018. EPA
People walk under illuminated decorations at Qanat Al Qasba, Sharjah, in 2018. EPA
Muslims break their fast in Dubai in 2018. EPA
Muslims break their fast in Dubai in 2018. EPA
The sun sets behind a mosque during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The sun sets behind a mosque during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Updated: March 15, 2022, 10:46 AM
Ramadan 2026UAE