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Ramadan 2016 Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Ramadan 2016 dates and information for Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, UAE. List of activities, special offers for Iftar and Suhoor meals, places open for daytime dine-in and drinking in the UAE. See the Ramadan etiquette page for information on respectful behaviour, history, and more.

Contact us to provide updates to working hours, operating hours, and information about any special Ramadan offers that should be edited or added here.

Ramadan dates 2016

Year	Start Date¹	End Date¹	Imsak Times² (Dubai)		Fajr Times² (Dubai)		Magrib/Iftar Times²
			01 Ramadan	29 Ramadan	01 Ramadan	29 Ramadan	01 Ramadan	29 Ramadan
2015	18 June 2015	17 July 2015					19:14
2014	29 June 2014	27 July 2014

1. Estimated dates in italics until confirmed by moon sighting committee in the UAE.
2. Fajr/Imsak and Iftar/Magreb times are for Dubai. Add 4 or 5 minutes for Abu Dhabi, subtract 4 minutes for RAK, subtract 4 or 6 mins for Fujairah. Some variation in times seen in different sources (Gulf News, Khaleej Times, The National, islamicfinder.org, etc). UAE newspapers usually publish all prayer times (Fajr, Dhuhur, Asr, Magrib/Maghrib, Isha).

• 16 Jun 2015 (WAM): The UAE moonsighting committee announced Thursday 18 June 2015 will be the first day of Ramadan, and Wednesday will be the 30th day of Sha’aban.

[Update] Eid Al Fitr 2016 dates

• See Eid Al Fitr 2016 holidays.

[Update] UAE Moon Sighting Committee 2016

• Update dates

Ramadan guidelines and etiquette for non-Muslims

Main page: Ramadan guidelines in the UAE. Summary:

• Do not eat (or chew gum), drink, or smoke during the day during Ramadan anywhere in public in the UAE, including inside your car, at the beach, at shopping malls (except in food courts which have been blocked off for non-Muslims and children).
• Women should dress more conservatively, especially in Sharjah, by making sure your shoulders and legs (below the knee) are covered. Headscarves for women are not necessary.

[Check, update] Workers and labourers in UAE during Ramadan

In 2010, construction workers, labourers, and others working outside during the day in the summer months were permitted to break their fast during the day if conditions made it too difficult for them to continue fasting, according to a Fatwa on the www.awqaf.ae website dated 05 August 2010. Unknown if this still applies in later years. See UAE workers and Ramadan for more details.

[Check and update] Iftar cannons in UAE - 2011 information, should be similar for 2016

Locations of cannons being fired to signal Iftar (not confirmed for 2016 yet). Cannons are operated by the local police. Free meals to spectators still being offered in Sharjah locations handed out by Sharjah Police (Gulf News 26 July 2011)?

• Dubai - Deira, Karama, Safa Park Gate 4 (Jumeirah). Also Burj Khalifa-Downtown Dubai area (in the triangle park opposite side of Dubai Fountains to the Dubai Mall), new location for 2013.
• East Coast (Sharjah emirate): Al Dhaid - police station, Dibba Al Hosn - Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Mosque, Kalba - Tarif Mosque, Khor Fakkan Corniche - Al Bukhari Mosque.
• Sharjah: Al Badiah - Mussalah, Al Buheira Corniche - Al Noor Mosque, Al Falaj - Cultural Palace, Al Jarina - Al Sarri Mosque, Al Khan - Al Huda Mosque, Al Murqab - Bara Bin Azib Mosque, Talaa Mosque.

Ramadan timings and opening hours Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, UAE 2016

To be updated. See UAE Ramadan hours 2013 for previous information which is probably similar in 2016.

Date of information in brackets, if not 2016 check with organisation for confirmation. Opening hours not supplied or confirmed for 2016 unless noted.

• Banks in Dubai (and UAE).
• *Bus stations in Dubai operated by the RTA.
• *DEWA.
• Directorate of Residency and Expatriate Affairs offices (Immigration or Naturalisation and Residency Departments).
• DNRD Dubai (Dubai Immigration Department).
• *Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
• *Dubai Customs.
• Dubai Ferry.
• *Dubai Health Centers (UAE government Ministry of Health Dubai Medical District).
• Dubai International Airport - operates as normal 24 hours per day after passport control and customs, food and drink (including alcohol) available daytime during Ramadan.
• Dubai Metro operating hours - usually no change from normal operating hours, but train frequency during the day reduced.
• Dubai Municipality working hours 0900-1400, Sun to Thu (2012).
• Federal government ministries working hours for employees 0900-1400 Sunday to Thursday (2012).
• *Fujairah Medical District (goverment centers).
• Ministry of Labour (UAE MOL) working hours 0900-1730 (2012).
• Parking in Dubai - payment hours for public parking in RTA Dubai Municipality areas (free parking outside the times stated) (2013):
  • Fish Market Deira - 0800-1300 and 1600-2300. Times apply to "All Week Days", not clear if that means 7 days per week or Sun-Thu only.
  • TECOM - Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Knowledge Village - 0800-1800 Sat-Thu, free parking on Fridays.
  • Multi-level parking garages - 24 hrs, 7 days per week.
  • All other areas - 0800-1300 and 1900-2400 Sat-Thu, free parking on Fridays.
• Parks in Dubai (public parks operated by the Dubai Municipality) (2012):
  • Al Mamzar Park open from 0800-2300
  • Creek Park open from 0900-2300
  • Jumeirah Beach Park open 0700-2000
  • Mushrif Park open 1100-2200
  • Residential and Pond Parks from 0800-1400
  • Safa Park open from 1100-2300
  • Zabeel Park open 1100-2300
• Post offices in the UAE (2012) - open 0900-1400 Sat-Thu, closed Fridays. Some of the main or larger post offices open 0900-1700 but none open in evenings according to WAM news release 19 Jul 2012 (in previous years some post offices open 2200-2400). Dubai Airport post office open 24 hrs 7 days per week (after passport control for departures, in terminal 1).
• Public transport - see Dubai Metro, Water Buses and Water Taxis. Dubai Taxis operate 24 hours 7 days so no change during Ramadan, although it might be difficult to find a taxi around Iftar time since many or most taxi drivers are Muslim, and will be breaking their fast.
• *Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Medical District (government health centers and clinics).
• RTA Dubai Customer Service Centers (all are closed Fridays) (2013):
  • Al Barsha, Deira, Karama, Umm Ramool - 0900-1400 Sun-Thu.
  • Al Manara, Al Twar - 0900-1800 Sun-Thu.
  • Al Awir (Al Aweer) - 0900-1400 and 2000-2400 Sun-Thu.
• Sharjah Medical Centers and Health Clinics (government).
• Shopping malls in UAE - most will operate extended hours in the evenings with closing times between 2200 and 0100, or possibly 0200. Later closings more likely for larger malls and/or on Thursday-Saturday nights. Opening times are unlikely to be different. Malls will usually be very quiet during the day which is great if you don't like crowds.
• Sharjah Museums mostly open 0900-1400. Some open 0930-1330 instead. Some open 2100-2300 in addition to morning hours.
• Theme parks in UAE - check with individual theme parks. Opening hours might vary and/or ride availability might be reduced. On the plus side, they will usually be less busy during the day (but busier in the evenings).
• UAE federal government offices (2009) 0900-1400 Sunday-Thursday.
• *Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) Medical District (government facilities).
• Vehicle licencing and registration centers in Dubai (RTA) (2013) - 0900-1500 and 2100-2400, Sat-Thu. Applies to Wasel Vehicle Testing, ENOC Tasjeel, Tamam Al Kindi Vehicle Testing, Mumayaz Vehicle Testing, Shamil Vehicle Testing, Cars and Al Shirawi.
• Water Bus Dubai (2013) 0700-2400. Times apply to "All Week Days", presumably means 7 days per week, not Sun-Thu only.
• Water Taxi Dubai (2013) 1000-2400. Times apply to "All Week Days", presumably means 7 days per week, not Sun-Thu only.

Restaurants and cafes daytime opening hours for Ramadan 2016

Main page: Cafes and restaurants open during Ramadan.

• *See also the Ramadan in the UAE and coffee shops open Ramadan during day Dubai topics in the forum.

2016 updates and archived information

Dubai

Ramadan 2016 forum dining topic. Reply with information about places open during the day which are not listed here, also any errors or updates. Use for Dubai and all UAE locations.

• Bars and restaurants which are open daytime do not serve alcohol before 2000 (8pm) serve alcohol daytime from noon or 1400, a change in regulations which started a few days after the beginning of Ramadan 2016. Includes hotels in free zones and hotels outside free zones. Bars and pubs with smoking areas permit smoking if they are open during the day.
• Many fast food places, especially at service stations, will have takeaways and deliveries but not dine in. For example Burger King, Hardees, KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks, Tim Horton's, etc.

Shopping malls in Dubai daytime dining (food courts are not open until 1200 noon)

• Burjuman Center: all restaurants and cafes closed until Iftar (2010).
• [?] Deira City Centre: food court?
• Dragon Mart:
  • Dragonmart 1, level 1 food court, small partitioned area for eating takeaways?
  • Dragonmart 2, level 1 food court, some outlets open for takeaways (Hardee's, KFC, Magic Wok (?), McDonald's), small partitioned area to eat them in.
• [?] Dubai Festival City
• Dubai Mall: Upstairs food court but not before 12pm (noon). Some other outlets in mall open for takeaways: Costa Coffee, Paul's Cafe, Tim Horton's, Starbucks (not all of them), Caribou Coffee, etc. McDonald's and Subway in food court are closed for renovations though.
• Dubai Marina Mall: Food court area upstairs sectioned off for daytime dine-in of takeaways, most food court outlets open. Some other mall outlets open for takeaways.
• Ibn Battuta Mall: nowhere for daytime dine-in (food court area closed for daytime dining). Some food court outlets, and Starbucks near Geant, open for takeaways.
• Mall of the Emirates: both upper and lower food courts open from 1200 (noon). Some other cafes open for takeaways. Some restaurants at Ski Dubai end open for dine-in.
• Mirdiff City Centre: both food courts with most outlets open for day-time dine in from 1200, a couple of other cafes and restaurants in mall open for takeaways (eat and drink in food court areas).
• Souk Al Bahar: nothing open for dine-in or takeaways (we couldn't find anywhere, update the forum topic if this is incorrect). Palace Hotel next door has Ewan restaurant open for dine-in, has a smoking area.
• Wafi Mall: no daytime dine in, MarryBrown open for takeaways, Wafi Center Pyramids nearby has several places open daytime from 1200, smoking area in Carter's Bar.

Daytime dine-in locations list by area

• Al Barsha, The Greens (Tecom renamed as Barsha Heights): Mall of the Emirates, hotels, see also DIC and DMC.
• Al Quoz:
• Arabian Ranches, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Motor City, Jumeirah Village: all takeaways and deliveries only except Studio City?
• Barsha Heights: Byblos Hotel Crown and Lion (but no bags or shopping allowed inside), Al Dente Italian Restaurant (has smoking area), Boutique 7 restaurant only, Costa Coffee and other outlets takeaways and deliveries only (previous years Costa Coffee was open for daytime dine-in).
• Bur Dubai: Wafi Center Pyramids - several outlets.
• [?] Business Bay:
• Deira: Deira City Center food court (?), some larger hotels.
• [?] Downtown Dubai: 4-5 star hotels
  • The Pavilion on MBR Boulevard (Emaar Boulevard), daily 1000-0100 (FB).
• [?] Dubai Airport:
  • Airside everything open 24 hrs, including alcohol availability.
  • Landside food courts and Costa Coffee shops in terminals 1 and 3 open 24 hrs.
  • Terminal 2? DWC?
• Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) food court open with most outlets serving F&B daytime.
• Dubai Design District: most places open daytime?
• Dubai Healthcare City: most or all outlets, but usually all are closed by late afternoon.
• Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC): most or all outlets. Gramercy hours changed during Ramadan, is open from 0800 weekdays (Sun-Thu), 1200 on Fridays, 1500 on Saturdays.
• Dubai Internet City (DIC): most or all outlets. French Bakery, Oregano, Rossovivo.
• Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV, KV): most or all outlets (2009)?
• Dubai Media City (DMC): most or all outlets. 1762, Avec (Aurora Tower), Cafe Bateel, Circle Cafe, Little Bangkok, Little More, Lounge Cafe Italiano (Arenco Tower), Pascal Tepper, Sushi Counter, The Kebab Shop, The Noodle House (Gloria Hotel), Urban Bistro (CNN Building), Vapiano (Thuraya Tower).
• [?] Dubai Marina: hotels
• Emaar Communities (Springs, Meadows, Emirates Hills, The Greens, The Lakes):
  • Jumeirah Park Pavilion:
  • Meadows Village Centre: Costa Coffee and Niloo's Restaurant takeaways and deliveries only, no dine-in.
  • Springs Town Center: Only takeaways and delivery (Tim Horton's, Starbucks, McDonalds), no dine-in. Shakespeare closed daytime.
  • The Greens:
  • The Lakes: Reform Social and Grill open for dine-in daily from 0700.
• Jebel Ali: The Galleries, JAFZA.
• Jumeirah (Umm Suqeim, Al Sufouh): Souk Madinat Jumeirah (?), Jumeirah Beach Hotel. La Brioche on Beach Rd (upstairs for dine-in), Starbucks on Sinyar Rd (takeaways only).
• Jumeirah Lakes Towers: many (but not all) outlets. Baldwin's Cafe has a smoking area, and is showing UEFA Euro 2016 games.
• Oud Metha: Wafi Pyramids, Dubai Healthcare City.
• Palm Jumeirah: Shakespeare Golden Mile open daytime, Atlantis Hotel, other hotels.
• Rashidiya (Al Warqaa, Umm Ramool):
• Satwa (Al Badaa):
• Sheikh Zayed Rd between Defense and Trade Center roundabouts: hotels or go to DIFC.
• Tecom - see Barsha Heights.

Daytime dine-in list by name (if more than one location).

• 1762: DIFC, DMC, and The Galleries open for dine-in (closed in weekends).
• Costa Coffee: many or most outlets open for takeaways, some for dine-in (free zone areas, Dubai Airport).
• Circle Cafe (FB): only DMC, DHCC, Studio City locations for dine-in. Other locations open for deliveries.
• La Brioche: Jumeirah Beach Rd Umm Suqeim 2 (2016) open upstairs, other locations in Dubai closed until Iftar.
• Shakespeare & Co cafes: most closed daytime. Palm Jumeirah Golden Mile open daytime. Souk Al Bahar possibly open (not checked). Meadows or Springs Town Centre closed daytime.
• Starbucks: some open for takeaways in shopping malls and other locations. Open for dine-in in free zone areas.

Iftar and Suhoor meals and buffets in Dubai and UAE

• Too much information available. Best option is to buy a Time Out Dubai or Whats On magazine for a comprehensive listing of the more expensive buffet deals.
• For cheaper or budget options, stroll around a shopping mall, or area with a large number of budget restaurants e.g. Karama, Satwa, Downtown Deira (Al Riga for example).
• Entries added here only if they are significant in some way (but not because of price or record amount of gold dust in your shrimp tempura batter).

Abu Dhabi

• [Check when last updated] Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - free Iftar meal. Non-Muslims can attend (but dress conservatively)? Tel 800-555 (2011).

Al Ain

• [Check when last updated] Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort (Al Ain Zoo) - 2100-0200 (9pm to 2am), last entry tickets sold at 0100 (2010).

Last update Wednesday 28-Jun-2017

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Abu Dhabi AUH ABD ADB, Ajman AJM, Al Ain AAN, Dubai DXB, Fujairah FUJ, Ras Al Khaimah RAK, Sharjah SHJ, Umm Al Quwain UAQ

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