Ramadan will begin on Thursday March 23, 2023.

That’s because the crescent moon has not been sighted on Tuesday evening, meaning Wednesday March 22 is the last day of the month of Sha’ban and Ramadan will begin the following day.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk to elevate their level of spiritual and physical submission.

A nightly feast, or iftar, breaks the fast – and you can count on Time Out to find out about all the iftars happening in Dubai.

Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, is also a hugely symbolic and important event. Again, Time Out is on-hand with a complete guide of suhoors to try in the city.

With the month representing such a change to so many people’s daily lives, the impact across the UAE will be big.

Working hours have been changed in both the public and private sector.

Government employees will work 9am-2.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am-noon on Fridays while private sector workers will see their hours reduced by two hours per day.

Schools will also have shorter hours, as pupils will join public sector workers with home-working allowances on Fridays.

That’s in addition to UAE schools being off for half of Ramadan due to spring break, running from Monday March 27 to Thursday April 13.

After Ramadan, Eid al Fitr will follow – with a four-day weekend in the UAE.

This religious holiday marks the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal, and the first day after Ramadan.