Photos: UAE gears up for Ramadan

Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is regarded as the holiest month of the year as it was the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) on the night of Laylat Al Qadr, one of the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Like other months, Ramadan too begins at the first sighting of the new crescent moon and lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on the next crescent's sighting. Above, decorations at Deira City centre.

During Ramadan, malls, many co-operative stores and hypermarkets offer huge discounts. Above, Ramadan shopping at Lulu hypermarket in Al Qusais, Dubai.

Dubai’s Department of Economic Development issued a circular stating that restaurants in the emirate will not have to screen visible dining areas during fasting hours in the Holy Month of Ramadan. Restaurants will be allowed to serve customers without putting curtains, dividers or facades as has been the mandatory practice previously. Restaurants are also not required to obtain a permit for serving food to customers during Ramadan fasting hours. Above, Ramadan decorations at the Mall of the Emirates.

Every day during the holy month of Ramadan, a single shot is fired at the time of iftar and two shots are fired to mark the start of the holy month and the commencement of Eid. Dubai Police have been making the final arrangements and remain on standby to fire the cannons that will announce the sighting of the new crescent and the start of Ramadan, as is tradition since the early 1960s.

Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi.

Sharjah Police have prepared a comprehensive security plan for Ramadan. The number of police patrols will be increased to 245 every day to provide the necessary support to community members, and to facilitate their services around the clock.

Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) has completed its preparation for the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr 2021, covering all sectors of integrated waste management in Abu Dhabi. Tadweer’s preparations for Ramadan start well before the holly month by intensifying clean-up drive at places frequented by the general public on a daily basis including mosques, Eid prayer grounds, government slaughterhouses, public parks, palaces and villas of their highnesses and markets across all residential areas in the emirate.

Ramadan shopping at an hypermarket in Dubai