Ramadan is a holy month when Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Quran (the non secular textual content of Islam) to the Prophet Mohammed. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
During this month Muslims are required to quick (sawm) from daybreak till nightfall; abstaining from consuming and ingesting, intercourse, smoking, and even chewing gum.
Fasting throughout Ramadan is among the Five Pillars of Islam; fundamental acts thought-about obligatory for Muslims. The others are declaration of religion (shahada), prayer (salat), charity (zakat), and pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).
Muslim kids, pregnant ladies, nursing moms, the sick, and sure different classes of persons are exempt from fasting.
Those observing Ramadan rise early and eat a pre-dawn meal (suhur) earlier than the daybreak prayer (fajr).
The quick is damaged after sundown and night prayer (maghrib) with a night meal (iftar). Traditionally, the meal begins with dates.
Many Muslims collect to interrupt their quick with others. Huge iftar tents, providing in depth buffets, are erected at main accommodations.
Dubai is noticeably quieter all through Ramadan and the tempo of life a lot slower. Muslims will generally greet one another with phrases similar to ‘Ramadan Kareem’ and ‘Ramadan Mubarak’.
When is Ramadan in Dubai?
The month of Ramadan begins and ends with the sighting of the brand new moon.
In the UAE a committee of presidency officers, non secular leaders, and astronomers (the United Arab Emirates Moon Sighting Committee) confirms the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal) and the start of Ramadan.
In 2018 it’s anticipated begin on May 16 and finish on June 14. The precise dates are depending on the moon sighting and should differ by a day or so.
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. It has 12 months however solely 354 days; shorter than the Gregorian (Western) calendar. Consequently, though Ramadan begins on the identical day when utilizing the Islamic calendar, it strikes 11 days earlier every year on the Gregorian calendar.
Shawwal is the month following Ramadan. It begins with Eid Al Fitr, a three-day public vacation in Dubai and the UAE.
Rules For Non-Muslims
Non-Muslims are usually not anticipated to quick throughout Ramadan. They ought to nonetheless respect the holy month and chorus from consuming and ingesting in public locations within the daytime. Many eating places successfully develop into ‘private’ locations by screening off eating areas from public view.
The police do arrest individuals for consuming alcohol and consuming in public. They are normally sympathetic to non-Muslims unaware of the principles and can normally first concern a warning. Those failing to heed their recommendation could possibly be prosecuted.
Non-Muslims ought to costume modestly and act conservatively. This recommendation applies all year long in Dubai. However, sensitivities are heightened throughout Ramadan and tips are extra strictly enforced. Swimwear ought to solely be worn by the lodge pool.
Hotels and Restaurants
Hotels, particularly enterprise accommodations, are a lot quieter throughout Ramadan.
Tourists who don’t thoughts the new climate can choose up nice offers throughout this time of the 12 months. Many accommodations supply closely discounted charges; nice information for those who usually couldn’t afford a vacation in Dubai. Even residents benefit from the lowered costs and ebook a staycation.
In the daytime most accommodations normally open no less than one in all their eating places. Typically the eating places doorways shall be saved closed or the eating space hidden behind screens.
Nightclubs and Alcohol
Many nightclubs shut throughout Ramadan. Those that keep open won’t have reside music or dancing.
Bars will function just about as traditional after sundown (alcohol is served).
Shopping malls and supermarkets are open later than traditional. Some retailers shut through the daytime.
Many malls shut their meals courts through the daytime. Others maintain them open however will display screen them off. Prominent notices advise that the meals courts are to be used by non-Muslims and kids.
Popular vacationer sights (Ski Dubai, Wild Wadi, Aqua venture and so forth.) function however are a lot quieter than at different instances of the 12 months. It’s a very good time to keep away from the crowds. Ticket costs are sometimes cheaper too.
Under UAE labour legal guidelines, working hours are lowered by two hours per day throughout Ramadan. Strictly talking the legislation additionally applies to non-Muslims.
Working hours for these within the public sector are 9 am till 2 pm. Most faculties can have shorter days all through Ramadan.
Operating instances for the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram and so forth. change. Hours are introduced within the media within the days main as much as Ramadan.
- Ramadan Kareem – Greeting which means ‘Ramadan is generous’.
- Ramadan Mubarak – Another greeting. Means ‘a blessed Ramadan’.
- Sawm – This is the Arabic phrase for fasting. It actually means ‘to refrain’.
- Suhur – The pre-dawn meal eaten earlier than quick begins.
- Iftar – The night meal when Muslims break their quick. It is eaten following maghrib, the prayer simply after sundown.
- Hilal – The slender crescent moon first seen after a brand new moon, marking the start and finish of Islamic months.
- Eid Al Fitr – The Muslim vacation marking the tip of Ramadan. It interprets as ‘Festival of fast breaking’. It begins on the primary day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
- Eid Mubarak – Traditional Muslim greeting used throughout Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha (one other public vacation). It means ‘blessed festival’.