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Ramadan 2021: What are The Protocols to be Observed this Year?

Earlier, astronomy experts have projected that Ramadan in the UAE this year will fall on April 13 or 14, depending on the country’s moon-sighting committee. In line with this, authorities, have laid out all preventive measures to ensure that the threat of COVID-19 remains at bay, even as the country is now rolling out its vaccination campaign at full speed.

In line with this, the UAE will welcome Ramadan 2021 without mobility restrictions but must infuse religious traditions with prevention, thanks to the country’s immense progress in the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Here Are The Ramadan Protocols In The UAE This Year

The country is on its second year observing Ramadan under the circumstances of COVID-19. When the virus broke out last year, people had to get used to the prolonged sound of sirens at night, imposing residents to return home, as well as the National Sterilization Program taking place at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak in the UAE. All these took place as the country marked Ramadan in the middle of the pandemic, the Khaleej Times reported.

In its second socially distanced observance of the holy month of Ramadan, here are the safety protocols residents must observe in the country:

Gatherings Still Discouraged

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) advised the public to avoid large social gatherings during Ramadan, stating that these events risk the lives of the elderly and people with chronic diseases.

This implies that the tradition of Iftar tents privately housed in the people’s homes and public donation tents are prohibited across the seven emirates.

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the Department of Charitable Work at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, announced that all permits for Ramadan tents, pilgrims and Iftar meetings have been cancelled in accordance with the instructions from health authorities and government preventive measures.

“Health safety is one of the department’s top priorities. We will take whatever is needed to help people pass the Holy Month safely. Compliance with preventive and precautionary measures is a collective community responsibility to protect public health,” said Darwish.

Meanwhile, duly-recognized charitable institutions will continue with their annual provision of Iftar meals. UAE authorities have urged both individuals and companies to coordinate with such charitable organizations if they wish to contribute to this year’s Iftar meal distribution for those in need.

Social Etiquette

Also, expat residents will be required to observe public restrictions, with respect to the vast majority who will be fasting during this period. This includes the prohibition of eating food and drinking water in public. Smoking is also not allowed in public during this time.

Non-Muslims who will not comply with such rules may be fined up to AED 2,000, as per the UAE Penal Code.

Article 313 of the UAE’s Penal Code states that: “[Violators] shall be sentenced to detention for a term not exceeding one month or a fine of not excess of two thousand Dirham whoever: In a public place consumes food or drinks or any other thing that breaks the fast during the Ramadan period.”

Mosque Restrictions

In keeping with this, the Dubai Supreme Council for Crisis and Disaster Management headed by His Highness Sheikh Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum urged the public that the faithful may perform their Taraweeh prayers across mosques in the emirate, provided that they follow precautionary measures including bringing of their own prayer mats, social distancing, and a maximum of 30 minutes of prayer in establishments.

Also, Iftar meals are not allowed inside mosques as these will be closed immediately after prayers. Meanwhile, women’s prayer areas, other facilities and external roads with praying areas will also remain closed.

Religious lessons and meetings in mosques will remain suspended, with the option of virtual participation. The government encourages reading the Quran through smart devices, and electronic donations, and zakat.

For the Qiyam-ul-layl during the last ten days of Ramadan, authorities will first evaluate the status of the pandemic in the country through continuous assessments, and measures will be enforced according to the new developments observed.

As the country once again enters this solemn period of faith, all residents are strongly urged by the government to adhere to public safety protocols and be considerate of others observing their religious traditions.

What’s Ramadan Like in Bahrain?

Bahrain, being one of the many oil-rich countries in the Middle East, is also predominantly a Muslim nation. Therefore, it pays to know about the basics of Muslim culture if you’re planning on visiting this country anytime soon or in the future.

ALSO READ: 5 Tips when Travelling to the Middle East During Ramadan

This is particularly important if you happen (or plan) to visit during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Because as you can imagine, there are various customary events that only happen during Ramadan, and we shall take a look at them especially in the context of Bahrain in this post.

[GUIDE] What to Expect During Ramadan in Bahrain

A few things worth noting: During the month of Ramadan, Muslims wake up before sunrise to have “suhoor,” a pre-fast meal. After which, they no longer partake of any eating, drinking, smoking, and even chewing gum for the rest of the day. But when the sun sets, Muslims take part in a public meal known as “iftar”.

That being said, expats are not necessarily obliged to perform these rituals, but do note that food items and supplies will be scarce during this period so it’s important to take note a few things to be prepared for your stay during this time in Bahrain:

Most businesses and public offices will have shorter operating hours during this time (usually from 8am to 2 pm only).
Several shops won’t be open during the day, but will be open at night until early morning.
Also, food spots such as cafes and restaurants won’t be operational during the day.
Meanwhile, licensed restaurants will not be serving alcohol. Also, don’t expect these places to play music or offer entertainment during the whole month.

The following is a set of guidelines on how to behave during Ramadan:

Dress modestly and appropriately. Remember to cover up your shoulders and knees, especially for the ladies. Men are expected to wear long trousers and clothes with long sleeves when out in public.
Greet the people you get to cross paths with. Basic greetings such as “Ramadan Kareem” and “Ramadan Mubarak” speak of blessings and good will to the recipient.
Be willing to donate or share food, money, or clothes to charity. Organized charity work is promoted during Ramadan. Also, almsgiving is widely practised during this time, as well.
Be willing to accept invitations to iftar. Whether it be your host or a couple of friends from work, it’s a good social response to join Muslims at iftar where you can share good stories and experiences about Muslim culture, and to make new friends or connections.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, or even chew gum in public. Understand that fasting is difficult as it is, and you wouldn’t want other people to give you mean looks when you fail to remember this.
Avoid public displays of affection such as hugging or kissing in public, even if you are with your spouse or lover, as this is deemed inappropriate in social settings in Muslim countries, more so during Ramadan.
Avoid using offensive words or gestures, or causing loud noise. As proper decorum and right conduct warrant this, speaking ill or acting offensively towards others, as well as creating a distraction are widely condemned during Ramadan.

The idea during Ramadan is for everyone to exercise respect and discipline towards the long-standing traditions of the people and the land. And while expats are not obliged to take part in any of these activities, knowing how to behave accordingly is a good first step to showing your respect towards the people and their beliefs.

Visiting the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai

Visiting a different country is all about learning a new culture. By seeing other people’s way of life, we gain new experiences and expand our way of thinking.

ALSO READ: 6 Things to Remember when Visiting the Middle East

When we mean to learn about a new culture, we should take into account all aspects of this experience, and that involves a whole lot of things: gaining insight of their language, foods, social customs, as well as their religion. As the UAE is composed of various emirates and embraces a number of nationalities, visiting this country is kind of like being everywhere in just one spot. So if you’re looking to make the best of your trip here, you should look closely at what the Emirati way of life is all about. And a good place to start is the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai.

Plan a Trip at the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai

The Jumeirah Mosque is one of the most iconic landmarks in Dubai. The mosque has adopted an ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’ policy, which practically welcomes all types of visitors of all faiths to experience and appreciate the beauty of the surroundings, as well as learn about the local culture and Islam.

But don’t worry, as the place is welcoming to guests of all faith, respect is widely observed in this important landmark for the people of Dubai. So, remember to keep an open mind when visiting this place to maximize your stay in the UAE.

What to Expect

A 75-minute guided tour is offered by representatives from the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which aims to offer visitors an opportunity to understand the Emirati way of life and religion.

During the tour, guests will gain valuable insights on Islamic holidays, rituals, traditions, customs, as well as cuisines. There is also much to be learned about the fasting month of Ramadan in this one-of-a-kind tour.

As the tour aims to have a welcoming and educational atmosphere, guests are also encouraged to ask questions, join the discussion, and take photos while inside the mosque. Guests can even try out a number of traditional Arabic light refreshments such as coffee, dates, and other varieties of food.

The tour is not only for adults, as there are special age-appropriate programs offered for children, as well. Along with this, guests are expected to act and dress appropriately. Traditional attire is available to borrow on-site. Women will be asked to wear a scarf over their head within the building premises, ensuring that their shoulders are well-covered.

Visiting the Jumairah Mosque

Members of the public can visit the mosque either in the morning or in the afternoon. Booking is not required but participants are expected to come at least 30 minutes before the session to register at the majlis just across the mosque.

The standard entrance fee into the mosque is AED 25 for both the morning and afternoon session. Children below 12 years are free of charge.

Mosque Visit Schedule:

The mosque is open for public visits daily except Fridays.

The morning tour begins at 10 am, and registration starts at 9:30 am.

The afternoon session begins at 2:00 pm, and registration starts at 1:30 pm.

And to make the trip more memorable, guests can drop by the gift shop inside the Jumeirah Mosque Majlis where they can shop for items such as traditional clothing for men and women, as well as for small gift items, trinkets, and choice souvenirs.

The gift shop is open daily (except Fridays) from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.

To know more about the Jumeirah Mosque, you can check out their website here, or you may reach them through the following:

Address: Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tel No: +971 4 353 6666

E-mail: https://[email protected]

Here is the Google Map Location of the Jumeirah Mosque:

5 Tips when Travelling to the Middle East during Ramadan

First things first, even before we consider visiting any place in the world, we need to have at least some background of the place we’re visiting, especially if it’s our first time – no surprises there.

And knowing about a place isn’t really “knowing” if you don’t go deeper into the way people do things there. For example, when visiting any country in the Middle East, it’s important that we understand that majority of the people living there are practicing (and/or self-confessed) Muslims. Therefore, it’s important that we are aware of what that entails for us as visitors in their homeland, most especially during important seasons such as the Holy month of Ramadan.

5 Things to Know for Expats Visiting the Middle East during Ramadan

And since Ramadan is a month-long celebration in the Middle East, it’s important that we take note of the following basic things to do or observe during our stay in any of the countries there.

Bring Supplies

The Ramadan season lasts for an entire month, and those who intend to stay in the Middle East through this season should know that food supply in the region would be scarce. It’s not so much because of any kind of food shortage in the country, but it’s mostly due to the people’s habit and rituals involving long periods of prayer and fasting. On that note, it’s safe to assume that there won’t be a lot of (or any) food places such as restaurants or diners you can go to for a quick meal during this time. And if that’s something you can’t live without, it’s best to take care of your own supply of food to last you during your stay in the region.

Be courteous and discreet.

Even if you decide not to partake in the fast, you should at least be considerate enough not to eat or drink in public, as most of the people are curbing their appetites through this month-long event. Also, since we all know that hunger and thirst can affect one’s mood and psyche, it’s important that we do our best to be understanding of other people’s temperaments this season.

Take it Easy and Relax

As an outsider visiting a place where people are keen on abiding by their religious rituals and activities, it’s easy to feel alienated amidst all of this. But that should not be the case, since there are also a number of residents who are no more religious than the vast majority of citizens, and will perform the same ritual/s behind their own drawn blinds, so keep in mind to relax and to avoid getting anxious over this.

Furthermore, groups such as drivers and travelers no longer subject themselves to the requirements of the season to prevent cases of delirium and sickness on the road.

Get acquainted with the Festivities.

Surely visiting the Middle East as a non-Muslim will not keep you from exploring a country’s culture and traditions. That being said, take some time to get acquainted to the people’s rituals, and more importantly try to get a grasp of the reason for why they do this to make your stay much more meaningful and memorable – you’d even get a friendly nod from the locals when you manage to show your participation in their religiously held customs and practices, even if only for a day or two.

Maintain a Safe Distance.

As a tip, this one does not hold any safety or security value, but it’s more of a practical one. Imagine when people go on days without any food or drink, you will most likely encounter foul-smelling breaths from those participating in the fast. And so try not to get too close to others during this period to avoid finding yourself in uncomfortable situations. Even so, we should also mind our manners and try not to be rude to others by pointing this out, especially in public.

The Middle East is a charming place to experience, with all of its rich traditions and cultural values. As a visitor, it’s important to have a safe level of understanding about the people’s customs and practices, especially during the Ramadan period.