Table of Contents
Ramadan 2026 in the United Arab Emirates
The first fast of Ramadan in UAE is forecast for Wednesday, 17 February 2026, pending the UAE Moon-sighting Committee’s announcement. Dates may shift by a day because the lunar crescent must be seen locally. We will refresh this guide once the authorities confirm the start of the month.
The guidelines below reflect the most recent circulars for this year. Ministries, IACAD, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority will confirm or adjust rules for 2026. Follow their official channels in early February 2026, and we will update this article as soon as new directives appear.
Worship and mosque attendance
Major mosques
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi plans separate entry lanes for men and women, multilingual digital signboards, and crowd-flow volunteers during Tarawih and Tahajjud. Extra prayer spaces open from the 21st night onward.
- Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) is adding 55 new mosques across the emirate and expanding live English translations for Friday sermons to about 70 percent of prayer halls.
Photography inside mosques
Personal photos or livestreams remain restricted unless you have explicit permission from the mosque management. This rule protects worshippers’ privacy and keeps the prayer area distraction-free.
Adjusted working and school hours
| Sector | Typical Ramadan timetable* | Notes |
| Federal ministries & authorities | 9 AM to 2:30 PM Mon-Thu, 9 AM to 12 PM Fri | Remote-work options are allowed by FAHR. |
| Private companies | Two-hour daily reduction (maximum 6 hours or 36 hours weekly) | Mandated by MOHRE for all Muslim and non-Muslim staff. |
*Exact schedules differ by employer; always check your HR circular.
Schools usually shift to early morning starts and finish before 1 PM Final 2026 bell times will appear on Education Ministry platforms closer to the month.
Public etiquette and legal reminders
- Eating, drinking, or smoking in daylight is not illegal for non-Muslims, but consuming anything openly on streets, public transport, or office common areas is considered discourteous. Most cafés install modesty screens or operate takeaway-only until sunset.
- Charity permits: Anyone who wishes to distribute iftar boxes or set up a Ramadan tent in Dubai must obtain a free online permit. Unlicensed distribution can attract fines reaching AED 500,000.
Shopping, dining, and getting around
- Malls and retail hubs stretch their hours. Dubai Mall, for instance, ran 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. daily in 2025, and most city malls followed similar split schedules with a midday lull.
- Restaurants begin serving iftar buffets a few minutes before Maghrib and often remain open until 2 a.m. for suhoor; reservations are wise on weekends.
- Iftar cannons fire at designated sites such as Expo City and Burj Park, signalling sunset and creating a family-friendly gathering point.
- Public transport (metro, buses, tram) usually keeps standard hours with small tweaks for late-night worshippers; RTA will release a 2026 timetable nearer the date.
The last ten nights
Expect thicker crowds for Qiyam-al-Layl prayers. Large malls sometimes go round-the-clock, pausing briefly after Fajr for cleaning. Hotels raise capacity for suhoor, and parking around major mosques may be regulated – watch local police advisories.
Stay considerate, stay hydrated after sunset, and Ramadan Kareem!
