Ramadan is one of the most important and spiritually significant months in the Islamic calendar. In the UAE, it is observed with deep respect, community spirit, and rich cultural traditions.
UAE Trip Guide, the most trusted travel platform for Pakistani and international visitors with offices in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Dubai, has helped over 400,000 non-Muslim travelers experience Ramadan respectfully since 2018.
Explore Understanding Ramadan in the UAE: A Guide for Non-Muslim Visitors, UAE, to enjoy iftar under the stars and the true spirit of Emirati generosity. For non-Muslim visitors, understanding Ramadan etiquette can help you navigate the country smoothly, enjoy your stay respectfully, and appreciate the UAE’s unique cultural identity. This guide explains everything you need to know — from public behavior and dining rules to experiencing Iftar and Suhoor like a local.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of the Five Pillars of Islam. For 29–30 days, Muslims worldwide abstain from food, drink, smoking, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset.
In the UAE, a country where over 90 % of citizens are Muslim, Ramadan is not just a religious observance — it becomes a nationwide cultural event filled with lights, charity, family gatherings, and a palpable sense of unity. For non-Muslim tourists, this creates a completely different travel atmosphere: quieter days, spectacular nights, and countless opportunities to witness authentic Emirati hospitality.
Exact Ramadan 2025 Dates and Daily Rhythm
- Expected start: Friday, 28 February 2025 (1 Ramadan 1446 AH)
- Expected Eid al-Fitr: Saturday–Monday, 29–31 March 2025
The exact dates depend on the official moon-sighting announced by the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee.
| Time (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) | Activity | Tourist Experience & Tips |
| 04:20 – 05:00 | Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) | Hotels serve lavish suhoor buffets; streets are quiet — perfect for early photography |
| 05:15 | Fajr prayer → fasting begins | No public eating/drinking starts now |
| 05:30 – 12:00 | Morning hours | Best time for outdoor attractions (cooler temperatures, fewer crowds) |
| 12:00 – 18:45 | Peak fasting hours | Indoor activities: malls, museums, aquariums; service slower in afternoons |
| 18:45 | Maghrib azan → cannon fire → Iftar | Join free mosque iftar or luxury hotel buffet; most beautiful sunset of the year |
| 19:00 – 22:30 | Isha & Taraweeh prayers | Ramadan tents, night markets, illuminated mosques, live music (non-religious) |
| 22:30 – 02:00 | Late-night suhoor | Beach suhoor, desert camps, 24-hour cafés — nightlife moves to after 10 PM |
Complete Etiquette Guide for Non-Muslims
- No eating, drinking (even water), chewing gum, or smoking in public from Fajr to Maghrib — this includes inside your car, on the beach, or while walking.
- Dress code becomes stricter — shoulders and knees must be covered in all public areas (malls, metro, souks). Beachwear only at hotel pools/private beaches.
- Music in cars should be kept low or turned off during fasting hours.
- Public displays of affection — stick to hand-holding maximum.
- Work hours are reduced — government offices 9 AM–2:30 PM, many private companies offer flexible hours.
- Patience is appreciated — people may be tired or hungry in the late afternoon.
- Greetings — say “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak” — locals light up when tourists use these phrases.
Also Read: UAE Culture and Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts for Tourists
Where Non-Muslims Can Eat and Drink During Fasting Hours
- All hotels and resorts — full breakfast, lunch, and dinner service as normal
- Hotel cafés and restaurants — no screens needed
- Mall food courts — dedicated screened sections for non-fasting guests
- Delivery apps — Talabat, Deliveroo, Careem Now, Noon Food operate 24/7
- Supermarkets & convenience stores — fully open (Carrefour, Lulu, All Day)
- Licensed bars inside hotels — remain open (service may be discreet)
- Room service — available 24 hours in every hotel
Top Ramadan Experiences Open to Everyone
Dubai
- Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) — Cultural iftar with Q&A session
- Expo City Ramadan Night Market — Food stalls, lights, live performances
- Al Hadheerah Desert Restaurant — Open-air Bedouin village iftar with 50+ dishes
- Burj Khalifa & Dubai Fountain — Special Ramadan lighting
Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — World’s largest community iftar (up to 30,000 people daily) — completely free
- Louvre Abu Dhabi — Extended hours + Ramadan art workshops
- Emirates Palace — Luxury gold-flaked iftar buffet
Sharjah & Northern Emirates
- Sharjah Light Festival + Ramadan Nights — Free entry
- Jebel Jais Suhoor — Cool mountain air at 1,930 m
Recommended Modest Clothing for Ramadan 2025
For Women
- Lightweight abayas (beige/white keep you cooler)
- Long maxi dresses or Pakistani lawn suits with sleeves
- Palazzo pants + long tunics
- Light scarf (not compulsory outside mosques)
For Men
- Full-length cotton trousers or Pakistani shalwar kameez
- Collared long-sleeve shirts
- Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops in public
Special Nights and Events Calendar
- 1st Ramadan — Cannon firing tradition in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
- 15th Ramadan — Haq Al Laila (children collect sweets door-to-door)
- Last 10 Nights — Itikaf begins; mosques open 24 hours
- 27th Ramadan (Laylat al-Qadr) — Expected 26 March 2025 — holiest night
- Eid al-Fitr — 3-day national holiday with fireworks and concerts
Practical Tips Especially for Pakistani Non-Muslim Travelers
- Book flights and hotels 4–6 months early — demand and prices surge
- Exchange PKR in Deira or Sharjah Rolla — better rates than airport
- Carry a reusable water bottle — fill it in your hotel room
- Download Muslim Pro app for exact prayer times in every emirate
- Join free mosque iftar — dates, water, rice, fruit served to everyone regardless of faith
7-Day Ramadan Itinerary for Non-Muslim Visitors
| Day | Base | Morning (Cool Hours) | Afternoon (Indoor) | Iftar & Evening Activity |
| 1 | Dubai | Dubai Mall + Aquarium | Burj Khalifa At The Top | SMCCU cultural iftar + Dubai Fountain show |
| 2 | Dubai | Al Fahidi Historic District | Gold & Spice Souk | Expo City Ramadan Night Market |
| 3 | Abu Dhabi | Louvre Abu Dhabi | Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque | Free mosque iftar (30,000 people) |
| 4 | Abu Dhabi | Qasr Al Watan | Emirates Palace tour | Luxury hotel iftar buffet |
| 5 | Sharjah | Sharjah Museum | Al Noor Mosque tour | Sharjah Light Festival + street food |
| 6 | RAK | Jebel Jais drive | Relax at hotel | Mountain suhoor under the stars |
| 7 | Dubai | JBR Beach (morning) | Mall of the Emirates | Family/friends iftar + Eid fireworks preparation |
Common Myths vs Reality
- Myth: Everything shuts down → Reality: Only daytime non-hotel restaurants close
- Myth: Tourists must fast → Reality: No expectation, just respect the public rules
- Myth: Nightlife stops → Reality: It moves later — suhoor tents often livelier than regular nights
Ramadan in the UAE is one of the most welcoming, illuminated, and generous times to visit. Non-Muslim visitors who follow basic etiquette are frequently invited to iftar tables, offered dates by strangers, and leave with lifelong memories of Emirati warmth.
Let Understanding Ramadan in the UAE: A Guide for Non-Muslim Visitors be your complete, respectful companion for the holy month.
Travelling during Ramadan 2025?
Download the free 50-page Urdu/English guide with daily schedules, iftar maps, dress code photos, and emergency contacts at UAE Trip Guide today.