The most sacred month of the year begins this week in the UAE on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

Depending on the moon sighting, the Islamic months last for 29 or 30 days, marking tomorrow as the start of a month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, which was not spotted on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 night.

Special Iftar tents will be set up outside mosques and prayers will last well into the evening as this sacred month begins tomorrow.

Marking the first holy month this year without any COVID-related restrictions, residents will be able to host Iftars along with gatherings and family. Additionally, masks are not required to be worn by worshippers inside mosques or any public places in the country.

For those abstaining from food and drinks from dusk to dawn will observe shorter working hours during this period.

Shorter working hours

According to the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), the official work timings for private sector employees during Ramadan have been reduced by two hours. Government employees will work 9am-2.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am-noon on Fridays while private sector workers will see their hours reduced by two hours per day.

Eid Al Fitr break

If you’re looking to plan ahead for this year’s first long weekend. The official Eid Al Fitr holiday in the UAE will commence from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. As per the current astrological predictions, the break will take place from Thursday, April 20 to Sunday, April 23, 2023.

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Images: Instagram @visitabudhabi & Feature Image: Instagram @mindz.eye