Ramadan 2025 in UAE: Starting date, fasting hours, need to know
The UAE Muslim community is preparing for Ramadan 2025 to engage in a month of spiritual devotion and self-reflection. As Ramadan approaches people adjust their schedules because work and school hours change which leads to a slower pace of life that supports prayer and community bonding along with charitable activities.
Every day throughout Ramadan devout Muslims in the UAE refrain from eating and drinking between dawn and dusk. Mosques across the country will conduct special nightly Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan. The special Qiyam ul layl prayers will continue through the night during the final ten days of the month.
When will Ramadan 2025 begin?
The sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday, January 31 marked the beginning of Shaaban which precedes Ramadan according to the Hijri calendar released by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqf), suggesting that Ramadan will start on March 1 this year. The precise beginning date of Ramadan depends on the moon sighting.
Temperatures during March typically stay between 21°C and 28°C with an average temperature of 24°C which helps people fasting.
Fasting hours
Observers of Ramadan will experience fasting durations of 12 hours and 58 minutes on the first day. By Ramadan's 11th day the Fajr prayers will begin at 5.16am followed by Maghrib prayers at 6.29pm which extends fasting duration to 13 hours and 13 minutes. Fasting times on the final day of Ramadan reach 13 hours and 41 minutes.
The duration of fasting hours in 2025 is shorter than the duration experienced in 2024.
School and work timings
The duration of school and work operations decreases throughout this month. School schedules often experience a reduction of two hours a day. Working hours change for both government offices and private sector companies.
Ramadan starts in the coming weeks following the mid-term break at numerous educational institutions. The month overlaps with international schools' term-end exams and Indian schools' final exams which typically occur from February through March. Schools have either postponed exams or completely cancelled them as their response.
Salik rates
Dynamic toll gate fees will have different operating hours throughout Ramadan. Toll gates will charge Dh6 per vehicle passage during weekday peak hours from 9am until 5pm. During weekday off-peak hours from 7am to 9am and from 5pm to 2am the next day the cost will be Dh4. Ramadan will see no toll fees between 2am to 7am on weekdays from Monday through Saturday.
Sunday Salik charges amount to Dh4 from 7am until 2am unless public holidays or major events occur while the fee is not applied between 2am and 7am.
The paid parking schedule will undergo changes throughout the month. The Variable Parking Tariff Policy is scheduled for implementation by March 2025's end near the Eid holiday period.
Premium parking spaces will cost Dh6 per hour and other public paid parking spaces will cost Dh4 per hour during morning and evening peak hours according to the policy. The off-peak hours will see no change in parking tariffs while parking remains free between 10pm and 8am as well as throughout Sundays.
Eid holidays
The date of Eid Al Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan could be March 30, 31, or April 1 depending on the beginning and duration of Ramadan. The Eid holidays traditionally start on Ramadan 30 and conclude on Shawwal 3.
Hag El Laila
During Ramadan cities throughout the UAE organize events and programmes to celebrate the holy month. Gun salvoes from Ramadan canons will punctuate the air across the country as Muslims observe Maghrib prayers during their fast-breaking rituals. Various locations throughout the UAE will host special tents dedicated to iftar and suhoor to provide residents and visitors with a distinctive dining experience.
The Ramadan souqs will serve as a vibrant representation of the holy month's spirit. The first seasonal souq took place on January 25 by Dubai Municipality at the Old Municipality Street Square within Grand Souq Deira. The market will operate until February 22 with stalls and workshops alongside live entertainment and activities.
Multiple families intend to observe Hag El Laila celebrations before the commencement of the holy month. On Shaban 15 families celebrate an Emirati tradition by allowing children to visit neighbors where they receive sweets, nuts, toys and gifts.
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