Ramadan 2025 in UAE: Essential timing changes you should know

Dubai: As Ramadan is underway, the month of fasting and prayer brings notable changes to daily life.

Falling in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is a time of fasting from dawn until dusk, heightened prayers, and increased acts of charity. It commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Ramadan began on March 1 this year, and here are some of the key adjustments taking place during this sacred period.

Check out the Ramadan Prayer Time Table 2025

Ramadan brings changes to daily routines across various sectors, including office schedules, school timings, Salik peak-hour toll charges, and paid parking. Here's an overview of what to expect during the holy month:

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) announced on Monday that the working hours for private-sector employees during Ramadan are reduced by two hours daily.

“In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during Ramadan,” tweeted MOHRE.

This is in accordance with Article 15 (2) of the ‘Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 on the Implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021’. According to the UAE government’s official website (u.ae), non-Muslim workers are also eligible for these reduced working hours without a salary deduction.

During Ramadan, the official working hours for ministries and federal authorities is from 9am to 2:30pm from Monday to Thursday, and from 9am to 12 noon on Friday, according to the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR).

The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) announced that government employees are allowed flexible working hours, with up to three hours of flexibility. They are required to complete 5.5 hours of work from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, they should work for only three hours.

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that paid public parking hours are adjusted during Ramadan:

Multi-storey parking buildings remain payable 24/7 regardless of the season.

On Monday, Sharjah City Municipality announced it has extended paid public parking hours for Ramadan. Parking fees is applicable daily from 8 am until midnight.

In Abu Dhabi, paid public parking is from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 12am. Parking is free on Sundays.

Public parking in Ajman during Ramadan is divided into two schedules:

Saturday to Thursday:

Red and green line stations:

Dubai Tram

Salik, Dubai’s toll system, introduced variable pricing on January 31 and it will adjust it's peak hour schedule for Ramadan.

Normal weekdays and weekends:

Sundays (excluding public holidays and events):

No charges apply between 2am and 7am during weekdays or weekends.

Private school students in Dubai have the option of remote learning on Fridays throughout Ramadan. The initiative aims to provide flexibility for families during this time.

The Dubai Media Office announced on its social media that students with mandatory in-person examinations on Fridays will be exempt from the remote learning arrangement.

Schools hours are also shorter during Ramadan and can only operate for five hours.

As for public schools, the Ministry of Education launched the ‘Ramadan with the Family’ initiative designating every Friday during Ramadan as a distance learning day. However, pupils with pre-approved exam schedules on Fridays during Ramadan will continue attending their exams as planned.

As per u.ae, most restaurants adhere to fasting hours and remain closed during the day, opening after the evening prayers. However, some restaurants and cafes do operate during daylight hours, offering dine-in options in enclosed areas, takeaway, and delivery services.

For Ramadan, Dubai Municipality announced that it has extended the operating hours of public parks and recreational facilities.

Islamic nations are expected to conduct official moon-sighting efforts on Friday evening to confirm the start of the holy month based on verified observations.

Ibrahim Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society and a member of the Arab Union for Space and Astronomy Sciences, stated that Ramadan 2025 will span 30 days, with fasting hours reaching up to 13 hours per day.

He also noted that the eastern regions of the UAE will experience Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (breaking of fast) slightly earlier than the western regions, with a time difference of approximately 20 minutes.

This article was originally published on January 19, 2025 and has been updated since.