Ramadan in the UAE in 2022: Everything you need to know
As we’re a mere handful of days away from April, the holy month of Ramadan is fast approaching. Based on moon sightings, which the Islamic calendar is based upon, Ramadan will begin on April 2nd this year. While this is the third socially-distanced Ramadan in the UAE, the holy month will be the most ‘normal’ one as restrictions ease. In this Pacific Prime Dubai article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Ramadan in the UAE in 2022 – complete with updates of COVID-19 rules.
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What is the holy month of Ramadan?
Ramadan remembers the month that the Qur’an (or the Muslim holy book) was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, with the actual night that the Qur’an was revealed known as Laylut ul-Qadr (or the night of power). As alluded to previously, the exact dates of Ramadan change every year because the Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. This year, Ramadan will begin on Saturday, April 2nd, and end on Sunday, May 1st.
Ramadan dietary restrictions
During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast between dawn and sunset, which is thought to instill self-discipline. That being said, children, pregnant women, elderly/senior people, and those who are ill or traveling don’t have to fast. In terms of meals, those who are fasting usually have one meal, known as the Suhoor, just before dawn and another meal, known as the Iftar, directly after sunset.
Iftar timings
On April 2nd, here are the timings to take note of:
- Fajr prayer will be given out at 4.51 am
- Iftar will be at 6.39 pm
In other words, the fasting hours on day 1 of Ramadan will be 13 hours and 48 minutes.
On May 1st, here are the timings to take note of:
- Fajr prayer will be given out at 4.20 am
- Iftar will be at 6.53 pm
So by the end of the month, the fasting hours would have increased to 14 hours and 33 minutes.
Check out the prayer times during the holy month of Ramadan here.
Reduced working hours for employees
In addition, both public and private sector employees can also benefit from reduced working hours during the holy month of Ramadan. Public sector employees will work from 9 am to 2.30 pm on Mondays to Thursday, and from 9 am to 12 pm on Fridays (which is a half working day). On the other hand, private sector employees will have their daily working hours reduced by 2 hours.
How will Ramadan 2022 be celebrated in the UAE?
With daily COVID-19 cases and deaths falling sharply over the past few months, the UAE (like many of its global counterparts) has returned to normalcy across all sectors. So, what does this mean for celebrating Ramadan 2022 in the UAE? And what if you want to travel to the UAE during the holy month? Let’s find out the answers to these and much more in the frequently asked questions (FAQ) below.
Will mosques in the UAE host Taraweeh prayers?
Taraweeh is a late evening prayer that’s hosted across mosques during Ramadan. However, this was not allowed in 2020 due to COVID-19 safety regulations, and people were encouraged to offer prayers at home. The following year, in 2021, Taraweeh was resumed with strict rules. Now, as most restrictions have been removed – including those at mosques, it’s highly likely that Taraweeh 2022 will be hosted normally.
Are there any restrictions on offering prayers at mosques?
Across places of worship in the UAE, congregational prayers are almost back to pre-pandemic status. What’s more, the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management (NCEMA) further relaxed the rules in February this year. That being said, worshippers still need to be masked while praying and maintain at least a one-meter distance from one another for safety reasons.
What about Iftar restrictions? Will Iftar tents be allowed?
It doesn’t seem likely that there will be any restrictions on hosting Iftar or Iftar tents in 2022. This is because the NCEMA had lifted capacity restrictions for social events in February. Social events such as weddings have also been allowed to operate at full capacity, though residents in the UAE are still encouraged to wear masks and sanitize their hands regularly to keep the virus at bay.
Get in touch with Pacific Prime Dubai today!
While things seem to be returning to normal in the UAE and the holy month is a time of celebration, it’s important to have a safe and healthy Ramadan. One way to do so is to buy a comprehensive private health insurance plan that meets your needs so that you don’t have to pay sky-high medical bills out of pocket should you need to access healthcare. In fact, based on your visa status, health insurance may also be mandatory.
For all things health insurance, consider getting in touch with an experienced and reputable broker like Pacific Prime Dubai. We have 100% impartial and expert insurance advisors on hand who take the time to understand your healthcare and lifestyle needs, provide a tailored plan comparison, and empower you to make a decision. Rest assured, you’ll not be left in the dark regarding the ins and outs of your chosen policy and will receive heaps of support throughout your insurance journey.
Contact us today to get started!
With over 5 years of experience in the field, Suphanida spends the majority of her day synthesizing complex pieces of insurance-related information and translating this into easy-to-understand, engaging, and effective content across a variety of media such as articles, infographics, whitepapers, videos, and more.
Suphanida is also responsible for planning and publishing three whitepapers released annually by Pacific Prime: The State of Health Insurance Report, The Cost of Health Insurance Report, and The Global Employee Benefits Trends Report. Additionally, she handles the LinkedIn profiles of Pacific Prime’s Founder and CEO, as well as Global HR Lead.
Suphanida’s strengths lie in her strong research and analytical skills, which she has gained from her BA in Politics from the University of Warwick and Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in Journalism from Aarhus University and City, University of London.
Being of Thai-Indian origin and having lived, studied, and worked in Thailand, the UK, and Denmark, Suphanida also has a unique, multicultural perspective that helps her understand the struggles of expats and globetrotters.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling to new places and immersing herself in different cultures.
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