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What’s new this Ramadan in UAE: Salik rates, parking, work hours, online classes; complete guide
From rules to etiquette that should be kept in mind, this guide includes changes that would affect residents' lives during the fasting month
- PUBLISHED: Fri 28 Feb 2025, 9:57 AM
Ramadan, the holiest and most cherished period in the Islamic calendar, is expected to commence on March 1. This spiritually significant month holds deep meaning for Muslims worldwide, marking a time of devotion and self-discipline.
Muslims fast from dawn till dusk during Ramadan and on the first day of the month, fasting hours in the UAE are expected to be 12 hours and 58 minutes. On the last day of the month, those observing Ramadan will fast for 13 hours and 41 minutes.
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Apart from fasting, residents' daily routines undergo adjustments, with modified working hours, school schedules, parking regulations, and other public services adapting to accommodate the rhythm of this blessed month.
Here, Khaleej Times has compiled the changes that would be in effect during the fasting month.
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Salik, parking
Salik, parking and Dubai Metro timings will see some modifications during Ramadan.
As for Salik, the rate will be Dh6 during weekday peak hours from 9am to 5pm; and Dh4 during weekday off-peak hours from 7am to 9am, and 5pm to 2am the following day.
The tariff will be free between 2am and 7am Monday to Saturday during Ramadan. During the four Sundays of Ramadan, the fee will be Dh4 from 7am to 2am; and free from 2am to 7am.
Both the Red and Green lines of Dubai Metro will run from 5am to 12 midnight from Monday to Thursday, and on Saturdays.
They will run from 5am to 1am on Fridays; and 8am to 12 midnight on Sundays.
As for paid public parking timings in the emirate, they will be as follows:
Monday to Saturday:
First period: 8am – 6pm
Second period: 8pm to 12 midnight
Parking is free between 6pm and 8pm Monday to Saturday and whole day Sundays
Multi-level parking buildings operate 24/7.
In Sharjah, public parking fees will be applied daily from 8am until midnight, the Sharjah City Municipality said in its statement.
Ajman has also announced its paid public parking hours across the emirate for Ramadan.
Paid parking will be reduced from Saturday to Thursday, the Ajman Municipality announced.
Motorists will have to pay fees from 9am to 1pm during the morning and from 8pm to 12pm in the evening. The duration between 1pm and 8pm will be free for motorists.
Working hours
The official working hours for public sector employees have been adjusted to 9am to 2.30pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9am to 12pm on Fridays. It means employees will work 3.5 hours less from Monday to Thursday and 1.5 hours less on Friday. But exceptions apply for employees whose work requires different hours.
Ministries and federal government employees may continue their approved flexible work arrangements during Ramadan, as long as they adhere to the daily work hour limits. Remote work on Fridays is permitted for up to 70 per cent of the total workforce, based on the approved guidelines.
Meanwhile, the official working hours for private sector employees has been reduced by two hours
Three emirates also announced working hours, flexible hours and remote work for government employees.
Dubai
Dubai has announced flexible working hours and remote work for government employees.
Government entities can allow employees to work in a flexible manner for three hours per day, provided that employees complete five and a half hours of work from Monday to Thursday.
On Fridays, public sector employees must work for three hours to be eligible for flexible work. Additionally, employees are allowed to work remotely for the equivalent of two days per week according to requirements, work conditions and tasks assigned to the employee.
Sharjah
Sharjah announced reduced work hours for public sector employees. Employees at government departments, institutions and bodies will work from 9am to 2.30pm throughout the holy month.
Ajman
The official working hours for government employees will be from 9am to 2.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 9pm to 12pm on Fridays, in the emirate. Government entities have the flexibility in implementing the remote work policy in line with regulations.
Remote learning
The UAE's Ministry of Education has designated Friday of each week during the month of Ramadan as a day for distance learning for students of public schools. This does not apply to students whose exam schedules have been approved for Fridays during the holy month.
Students of private schools in Dubai can opt for remote learning on Fridays during the holy month. Students with mandatory in-person examinations on Fridays are, however, exempt from this arrangement.
Additionally, schools have been urged to accommodate families for whom remote learning may not be suitable by allowing students to attend classes in person, according to directives from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.
Park timings
Operating timings at Dubai's public parks and attractions will also change. Take a look at the revised schedule:
Special parks, recreational facilities:
Zabeel Park: 9am to 11pm
Al Khor Park: 9am to 11pm
Mushrif National Park: 9am to 11pm
Safa Park: 12pm to 10pm
Mamzar Park: 8am to 10pm
Children's city: 9am to 4pm from Monday to Friday; 11am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday
Mushrif National Park's Mountain Bike Trail & Hiking Path: 6.30am to 11pm
Quranic Park: 8am to 10pm
Cave and Glass House: 1pm to 9pm
Dubai Parks:
Dubai parks will be open from 8am to 1am (post midnight). For those using walking tracks, gates will open after Fajr prayers.
Al Marmoom Lakes (Love, Expo, Solar, Crescent Moon Lake) and Suhaila Lakes will be open for 24 hours on all 7 days of the week.
Dubai Frame will be ope from 10am to 7pm.
Dubai's Global Village will also extend its operating hours. It will open from 5pm to 1am (Sunday to Wednesday) and 5pm to 2am (Thursday to Saturday). These hours have been adjusted by one hour from the usual timings.
In Sharjah, neighbourhood parks will be open every day from 4pm until midnight, while Al Seyouh Family Park, Al Seyouh Ladies Park, Sharjah National Park, and Al Rolla Park will operate from 4pm until 1am, Sharjah City Municipality said.
On February 17, the authority said restaurants could start applying for permits to cook and display during the holy month. It also specified the various channels establishments can apply through.
Few days later, the municipality began accepting applications for late-night businesses to work after midnight during Ramadan.
Things to keep in mind
Apart from individual practices, there are community as well as legal aspects that residents and visitors must keep in mind during the holy month like using licensed platforms to donate and refraining from fundraising.
It is also important to know that in the UAE, begging is a crime punishable by a fine of Dh5,000 and up to three months in prison. Those involved in organising begging rings or recruiting individuals from outside the country to solicit alms can face a six-month prison term and a Dh100,000 fine. Additionally, raising funds without a permit can result in fines of up to Dh500,000.
Dubai Police has launched its annual “Combat Begging” initiative in anticipation of Ramadan.
As for the weather, cooler temperatures are expected during the first few days of the holy month.
There was a drop of “at least five degrees” between Monday and Tuesday as a cold wave hit the country on February 25.
Ramadan is also a time when many supermarkets announce discounts and offers to tap in shoppers' appetite to stack food items for the fasting month.
Around 644 major supermarkets in the UAE announced over 50 per cent discounts for 10,000 products with one co-op announcing discounts worth Dh35 million, the Ministry of Economy said.
Other offers announced during the holy month include 65 per cent discounts for 5,500 products at Lulu Hypermarket, which has over 600 branches across the emirates.
To keep up with the decades-old tradition of firing cannons, fired twice on the eve of Ramadan and then once every day for the entirety of the month, Dubai Police announced the locations of both stationary and mobile Iftar cannons around the emirate.
Sharjah Police as well have identified 10 locations for launching the iftar cannon.
The cannons will be located at Al Majaz Waterfront, Muwailih Suburb Council, Al Siouh Suburb Council, Al Rahmaniya Suburb Council, and Al Hamriya Suburb Council.