Ramadan 2025 in UAE: Essential timing changes you should know
Dubai: As Ramadan nears, this holy month of fasting and prayer marks dramatic shifts in routine.
It is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and Ramadan is marked by fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer and generosity. It marks the unveiling of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
This year Ramadan will hit the ground on March 1st, and here are a few of the most important changes to expect during this holy month.
How Ramadan affects working hours
Whether it is office hours, school timings, Salik peak-hour tolls or paid parking, there are numerous ways that daily lives change during Ramadan. So here’s a summary of the holy month:
1. Private sector offices
-
Private sector employees in UAE have an entitlement to reduced hours on Ramadan when the working day is cut by two hours. This is in line with Article 15 (2) of the ‘Cabinet Resolution No. 2 of 2022 on the Implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021’.
-
Non-Muslim employees are also eligible for these reduced hours of work without salary deduction, the UAE government’s website (u.ae) explains.
2. Paid parking
-
Ticketed parking hours change in Ramadan:
-
Time: 8am – 10pm daily all year.
-
Ramadan hours: 8am – 6pm and 8pm – 10pm.
-
Multi Storey Parking Structures is payable 24x7 no matter the season.
3. Salik’s peak and off-peak hours
Dubai’s toll-collector Salik is going to start offering variable prices on 31 January and will be adjusted for Ramadan by the toll-collector too.
Normal weekdays and weekends:
-
Hours of Operation (9am-5pm): Dh6.
-
Off-season (7am to 9am and 5pm to 2am): Dh4.
-
On Sundays (prior to public holidays and events):
-
Peak (9am-5pm) and off-peak (7am-9am, 2am-7am) are charged Dh4.
-
It’s free between 2am and 7am on weekdays or weekends.
4. School hours
-
While Ramadan school timings for 2025 have not been announced, they are likely to be just like last year: Last year, students attended the school from 10am to 5pm.
-
Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in 2024 imposed a restriction of five hours per day in private schools for Ramadan and 12pm on Fridays.
5. Time of grocery stores and malls
-
Supermarkets and food stores: Go on as normal.
-
Shopping Centres: Keep it open till late night for those who are in Ramadan.
6. Opening hours of restaurants
uae said: "Most restaurants keep fasting time and stay closed throughout the day and open after prayers at night. But some cafes and restaurants do stay open during the day (dine-in in the outside spaces, takeaway and delivery).
Comments