Ramadan marks the start of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan is just around the corner, and while a confirmed start date is only announced when the moon is sighted, the expected start date for 2025 seems to be less than 60 days away. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Thursday, 27 or Friday, 28 February. Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court and the UAE Moon-sighting Committee will look for the crescent moon the night before 28 February to announce when the Holy Month will officially begin.
Ramadan 2025 will also allow for shorter working hours. Last year, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that working days should not exceed five hours. The ministry advised that hours should be between 10am to 3pm.
The UAE had also declared reduced working hours during the Holy Month. UAE labour law states that during Ramadan, the private sector will also work reduced hours. Regardless of if the employee is Muslim or fasting, the working day will be reduced by two hours.
Ministries and federal entities will work from Monday to Thursday from 9am to 2.30pm and on Fridays from 9am to noon. Flexible and remote working is permitted during Ramadan.
Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, normally lasting 29 or 30 days. It marks the time when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed, PBUH. During the month, Muslims worldwide fast from sunrise to sunset. The last ten days of the month coincide with Laylat Al Qadr.
Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on Thursday, 30 March or Friday, 31 March, depending on how many days Ramadan lasts. The exact date will also be confirmed by the moon sighting committee. Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday in the UAE, and the dates have not yet been confirmed. Muslims around the world celebrate the holiday with prayers, meals, and gifts.
