Ramadan

Every country in the Islamic world observes the fast of Ramadan. The fast takes place between dawn and dusk for one month of the Islamic year (based on the lunar calendar, losing 11 days a year or 12 in a leap year).

Dates for Ramadan:

2013 from 9th July

Activity during Ramadan

During this time Muslims will fast during daylight hours.The fast is broken after sunset with a meal of sweets and dates. Non-tourist eating places tend to be closed until dusk. Tourists who are not Muslims are not expected to observe the fast, but should respect local customs and be discrete if consuming food or water during the day, and avoid smoking in public places. We ask clients to understand that service may not be as good when people are hungry and thirsty. In our experience it is an interesting time to visit, but it should be noted that:

museums and sights may close early to allow people to return to their homes to break the fast at dusk;
non-tourist eating places tend to be closed until dusk;
shops tend to open later in the mornings - at about 9.30am - and might close earlier than normal;
there may be extra restrictions on the sale of alcohol in restaurants and hotels. Our staff they say prefer to work during the fast to keep their minds off food and drink. Please understand that they will need a good 20 minutes off work to have their breakfast at dusk, but that your dinner will be served before they traditionally have a large meal later on; and
the end of Ramadam is celebrated by the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast - Eid al-Fitr. The celebrations, which last three days see homes are decorated, people dress in their finest clothes and families meet and enjoy visits from friends.