Everything You Need to Know About the Holy Month of Ramadan

From the Read. archive · updated for 2026

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest period of the year for Muslims — a month of fasting, prayer, charity, and community. If you live in or are visiting the UAE, here is what the month means and how to be part of it respectfully.

What Ramadan is

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset: no food or drink, including water, during daylight hours. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, but the month is about far more than abstaining — it is a time for reflection, extra prayer, reading the Quran, and giving to those in need. Children, the elderly, travelers, pregnant women, and people who are unwell are among those exempt from fasting.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Ramadan moves earlier by about ten or eleven days each year against the Gregorian calendar, and its start is traditionally confirmed by the sighting of the new moon. Exact dates are announced close to the time by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee, so check current announcements rather than relying on projected dates.

The rhythm of the day

The pre-dawn meal is called suhoor; the meal that breaks the fast at sunset is iftar, traditionally opened with dates and water, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad. Evenings are the social heart of the month — families and friends gather for iftar, mosques fill for the special taraweeh prayers, and hotels and restaurants across the UAE set up iftar and suhoor tents that welcome everyone, Muslim or not. The last ten nights of the month hold special significance, including Laylat Al Qadr, regarded as the holiest night of the year.

What changes in the UAE

The country shifts gears noticeably. Working hours are typically reduced — UAE labor rules provide shorter working days during the month — and the pace of business slows, then the cities come alive after sunset. Many restaurants and cafes now serve during the day, though norms vary by emirate and venue; expect quieter daytime dining and busy, late evenings. Ramadan is also the UAE’s biggest season for charity, with organized fridge-stocking drives, meal distributions, and donation campaigns in every neighborhood.

Etiquette for non-Muslims

Be discreet about eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours, and follow the lead of the venue you’re in.
Dress a little more modestly than usual, especially in malls and public spaces.
Accept iftar invitations — sharing the sunset meal is the best introduction to the month, and hosts genuinely welcome guests.
“Ramadan Kareem” and “Ramadan Mubarak” are the customary greetings; both are always well received.
Plan around the roads just before sunset, when traffic peaks as people head to iftar.

The month ends with Eid Al Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast” — a public holiday in the UAE marked by morning prayers, family visits, gifts, and a lot of food. However long you’ve lived here, Ramadan remains the best month to see the UAE’s traditions of hospitality and generosity up close.