UAE announces Ramadan 2023 working hours for private sector

UAE cultural tips and etiquette to follow during Ramadan 2023

Working hours for private sector employees will be reduced by two hours during Ramadan, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced.

The ministry said on Monday that companies would be able to introduce "flexible or remote working patterns" throughout the holy month.

Contracted hours vary in the private sector, with many members of staff typically working for nine hours each day.

“In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during the days of Ramadan,” the ministry said.

The UAE confirmed working hours for federal government employees during Ramadan on Friday.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said in a circular that the working day would run from 9am to 2.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 9am until noon on Fridays.

Ministries and federal departments will be allowed to implement flexible working or remote work schedules, the state news agency Wam reported.

This year, Ramadan will begin in the UAE on March 23. The official date was determined by the country's moon-sighting committee the night of March 22.

What is Ramadan?

A cannon is fired on the final day of Ramadan 2022 at Abu Dhabi’s oldest building, Qasr Al Hosn, to signal prayers and the breaking of the day’s fast. Victor Besa / The National

Dubai Police's iftar cannons, which fire a single shot at sunset every day during Ramadan, operated from 11 locations during the holy month, including Burj Park. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A Dubai Police officer fires a cannon at Burj Park. Officers fire two rounds to announce the beginning and end of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A police officer loads a cannon on the final day of Ramadan in Burj Park. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Cannons, which can be heard as far as 10 kilometres away, have been a tradition in UAE since the 1960s. Satish Kumar / The National

According to protocol, four police officers are present at each firing. Two man the cannon, where one passes a blank cartridge and the other loads it, as is happening here at Burj Park. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Two police officers remain at the back as guardians of the cannon and give orders. When it is time for iftar, an officer gives the order and the cannon is fired. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Burj Park cannon provided a perfect photo opportunity for residents and tourists alike. Chris Whiteoak / The National

People gather at the cannon in Burj Park. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It is believed to be the month when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and drink during this period.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims strengthen their faith through prayer and increased recitation of the Quran.

The last 10 days of the holy month are the most special, coinciding with Laylat Al Qadr, commemorating the night the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

The rewards for acts of worship carried out on this night are said to be more than the rewards of 1,000 months of worship.

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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”