Ramadan Deals and Iftar Offers
Ramadan, the most significant month in the calendar for anyone living in Dubai, is finally here.
Ramadan is the time during which Muslims are required to elevate their level of spiritual and physical submission to their faith by way of fasting.
Monday March 11 will mark the first day of Ramadan. This means it is the first time Ramadan has fallen in the wintertime since the year 2000.
The abstention from eating and drinking during Ramadan is intended to last from dawn until dusk throughout the 29 or 30-day period.
Traditionally, that fast is broken with a meal called iftar, taken just after sunset.
Typically, people will enjoy dates, dried apricots and Ramadan juices, before heading to evening prayer. After that, large meals are the norm, usually with family and friends.
These iftar meals are offered across Dubai, at many of the city’s best restaurants, Dhow Cruises and hotels.
With Ramadan now less than six weeks away, venues are starting to announce their iftar plans.
Whether you’re fasting or just want to join in the festivities, we’re kicking off the list of all the best iftars in Dubai for you to try.
Prepare to break your fast with some of these delicious 2024 iftar options.
- Al Barsha
- Al Jaddaf
- Barsha Heights
- Bluewaters
- Bur Dubai
- Business Bay
- City Walk
- Downtown Dubai
- Dubai Creek Harbour
- Dubai Festival City
- Dubai Marina
- JLT
- Jumeirah Village Circle
- Palm Jumeirah
- Jumeirah Emirates Towers
- Umm Suqeim
Taraweeh, Qiyam-ul-layl prayers
In addition to the five daily prayers, Muslims offer special prayers called Taraweeh in the evenings of the holy month. It’s offered after the Isha (night) prayer. Mosques across the UAE host the prayer from the evening when the Moon is spotted. Since the Moon was spotted this evening, Taraweeh prayers will begin from Sunday, March 10.
At most mosques in the UAE, the prayer has eight units (rakat) followed by three of Witr. The prayer lasts anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour.
Special late-night prayers called Qiyam-ul-layl are offered in the last 10 days of the holy month. This year, the prayer will begin at most mosques on the night of Saturday, March 30.
The exact timing of the prayer varies from mosque to mosque, but most are hosted after midnight. Unlike Taraweeh, Qiyam-ul-layl prayers last longer — anywhere between 1.5 to three hours.
Fasting hours
On the first day of the holy month, the call for the Fajr prayer will be given out at 5.15am, signalling the start of the fast. Muslims will end their fast when the call for Maghrib prayer is given out at 6.29pm. On day one, therefore, they will abstain from food and drink for 13 hours and 14 minutes.
The fasting duration will increase as the month progresses. On Ramadan 11, the fasting hours will be from 5.05am (Fajr) till 6.34pm (Maghrib) — a total of 13 hours and 29 minutes. On Ramadan 21, the call for Fajr prayer will be given out at 4.54am and that for Maghrib at 6.38pm, with the fasting duration being 13 hours and 44 minutes.
By the end of the month, the fasting hours will have reached almost 14 hours.
“This variation is due to the changing length of the day as the month progresses,”
Ramadan in Dubai: Everything you need to know
Your complete guide, from working hours to iftar and suhoor
Ramadan in Dubai is a month of reflection, as the city takes on a slower-than-normal pace.
Ramadan in Dubai will start on Monday March 11 and it is a significant period for both Muslims and non-Muslims living in the city.
Traditionally, Ramadan is the period during which Muslims elevate their level of spiritual and physical submission to their faith by way of fasting between sunrise and sunset.
To support people fasting during this time, work hours are normally reduced during Ramadan in Dubai, and as a result, the roads get quieter.
However, gone are the days of rules and restrictions across the city. Instead, Ramadan in Dubai is a time when everyone – UAE citizens and expatriates alike – comes together.
With this complete guide to Ramadan, you’ll be one step ahead.
From visiting Ramadan markets to booking iftars, it’s time to prepare for Ramadan in Dubai.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ramadan in Dubai:
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is an annual month of fasting, worship, service and community gathering in the Islamic lunar calendar.
Muslims are required to elevate their spiritual and physical submission to their faith by fasting.
When the sun sets every evening during the month of Ramadan in Dubai, Muslims then break their fast with an evening meal known as an iftar. And before dawn, Muslims may eat a second meal which is called a suhoor.
When will Ramadan in Dubai begin?
Ramadan in Dubai has been declared to start on Monday March 11 this year.
Every year Ramadan starts on a different day, with the exact date not known until around two days before it begins. This is because it is based on the lunar calendar.
In the lead-up to Ramadan, the country’s International Astronomy Center predicts when Ramadan in Dubai will begin.
Sha’ban is the month before Ramadan in the Islamic lunar calendar, so only once it concludes will Ramadan begin.
This will be the first time that Ramadan in Dubai falls in winter since the year 2000.
Ramadan in Dubai: Iftars to book in 2024
Traditionally, fast is broken every evening during Ramadan with an Iftar.
While you don’t need to gather together for iftar, it is a lot better to get together with friends and family for a communal feast.
You don’t have to look far to find a good iftar in Dubai, in fact, we’ve put together a list of all the best iftar deals and gatherings in every neighbourhood in the city so you’ll have plenty of options..
Ramadan in Dubai: Suhoors to book in 2024
Before sunrise and the daily fast comes the suhoor which is being served across the city at restaurants and in outdoor venues from the late evening into the early hours of the morning.
And, similarly to iftars, we have compiled a list of options and deals across Dubai for you to book now.
Where are the Ramadan markets in Dubai?
Dubai is also home to many pop-up night markets during Ramadan which typically operate after the iftar.
People fasting during Ramadan tend not to want to exert too much energy during the day and, instead, wait until the evening to head to Ramadan markets in Dubai.
Night markets will normally sell clothing, jewellery and decorations as well as food stalls.
Decorations and trinkets will likely be adorned with or be in the shape of the moon and stars.
The first major Ramadan markets have been announced in Dubai with sites at Old Dubai, near the Museum of the Future and Expo City.
The UAE government has officially stated that you are entitled to reduced working hours during Ramadan in Dubai regardless of whether you are a Muslim or non-Muslim.
Your work day will look different depending on whether you’re a private or public sector employee.
Public sector workers will have significantly reduced working hours following an announcement by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources.
In previous years, the FAHR had not made the announcement until the confirmed date of Ramadan was revealed but this year public working hours were revealed before we knew the official date.
In the private sector, guidance is for people to work two hours less per day during Ramadan.
Schoolchildren also have shorter days with a maximum of five hours of instruction time advised by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.
What else is likely to change during Ramadan in Dubai?
There are several other changes to city life during Ramadan in Dubai to keep an eye out for.
Generally, shops and restaurants operate as usual, although operating hours can change.
Dubai’s malls are often open late, for example, as well as some attractions.
And as an added bonus, hours of paid parking tend to change, with public parking often free in the evenings for iftars and suhoors.
What happens after Ramadan in Dubai?
The last day of Ramadan will be announced, just as with the start, by UAE astronomers.
The day after Ramadan ends, the festival of Eid Al Fitr begins. Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the month-long period of daylight fasting, and a time for family and friends to celebrate together.
Eid Al Fitr is expected to begin on Wednesday April 10, 2024, although the exact date will only be confirmed nearer the time.
The festival is a public holiday in Dubai, and this year, all Dubai residents are expected to get a six-day holiday.
1 Comment
Doris Robison · March 13, 2024 at 10:03 am
Hi, I Like iftar at DME Dhow Cruise. Nice Food