Ramadan is expected to begin on March 1 in the UAE this year, according to predictions from astronomers. However, the official start date will be determined by the moon-sighting committee - likely to be after sunset on February 28.
The 29-to-30 day month, the length of which is determined by the moon cycle, is the holiest in Islam and requires Muslims to abstain from all food and drink during daylight hours. Fasting from dawn to dusk strips away distractions for practising Muslims, allowing them to look within instead, focus on faith and empathise with the less fortunate.
For many Muslims, Ramadan is an annual reset. The month represents a complete change in routine, with the faithful reconsidering their priorities, increasing their piety, and gathering more frequently with close friends and family. They typically also increase their charitable contributions, and spend time on personal reflection - all while avoiding negative environments or habits, such as gossiping or swearing.
For non-Muslims living in the UAE, the spirit of Ramadan can also be felt in the festive lighting of the cities and appearance of iftar tents.
Supermarkets tend to become busier as families stock up on Ramadan essentials, like apricot paste and Vimto, to prepare meals for sunset and working and school hours are reduced in consideration of fasting Muslims, who often stay up late with night prayers and Quran recitation.
If this is your first Ramadan in the UAE, here are a few things to look out for – from official rules to cultural tips or recommendations.
Do not eat, drink or smoke in public, where possible
During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat, smoke or drink from sunrise (fajr) to sunset (maghrib) - each marked with prayers. Though most restaurants and cafes remain open across the country, non-Muslims are encouraged not to eat, drink, smoke or even chew gum publicly in non-designated places while the Sun is out.
Officially, doing so is against the law and could result in a Dh2,000 ($545) fine or a jail sentence of no more than a month - but this is rarely applied.
Non-fasting people can do all of these things in private or designated areas, including at restaurants and cafes.
At work, companies must provide a room for people to eat away from those fasting.
Water can be consumed at the gym and private beaches but it is best to be mindful about drinking when going to and from the car park.
You can eat, drink and smoke in your car if the interior of your vehicle is not visible. Discretion is generally advised.
Children are also able to eat and drink in public, regardless of their location.
If you forget and are seen eating or drinking publicly, it is best to apologise and try to avoid making the mistake again. Ramadan is also about practising patience, so people are typically forgiving about mistakes if it is clear there is no ill intention.
Be mindful around fasting Muslims
As at other times of the year – but especially during Ramadan – people should avoid demonstrative acts of affection in public, as this can be an offence.
People should also avoid making a scene in public as it is generally a time of peaceful reflection and piety.
Men and women are encouraged to dress more modestly during the holy month, avoiding revealing and tight clothing. Swimwear is still acceptable at public beaches and hotel pools, which will be open as usual.
Non-Muslims should consider whether they have Muslim friends who are fasting before using strong language or making jokes that could be deemed inappropriate.
It is also best to avoid playing music loudly during the holy month and to use headphones instead – particularly during prayers or the call to prayer.
Get involved where appropriate
Non-Muslims can certainly try their hand at fasting by attending iftar and suhoor tents at hotels and participating in charitable initiatives if they wish to partake in aspects of the holy month.
If invited to iftar, as with any such offer, it is polite to attend. It is not a requirement, but it is never wrong to bring a gift when visiting someone’s home. It is advisable to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before maghrib. Turning up with a box of dates or sweets in hand will not go amiss.
Watching the iftar cannon go off, which signals the setting of the Sun, at a park or mosque can also be a nice experience, particularly for children who can learn about its significance during the holy month.
During Ramadan, Muslims tend to give more to charity and people are invited to practise the spirit of giving. Non-Muslims can also take this time to donate to charity or carry out volunteer work.
Some families choose to put up tents – in co-ordination with their respective municipalities and Emirates Red Crescent – to feed low-income workers in the area.
Those who wish to set up a tent must go through a licensing procedure that involves receiving temporary permits from the municipality.
Iftar and prayer timings for Ramadan 2025:
With Ramadan falling earlier with every year, Muslims can expect to fast for a slightly shorter time period than they did last year but the days lengthen towards the end of the month.
This year, Muslims in the UAE will begin the month by fasting for about 14 hours and 13 minutes. The fasting time will steadily increase as the holy month progresses. By the end of Ramadan, the fast will last for 14 hours and 55 minutes.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
