Ramadan marks the start of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan 2025 is here. The UAE and Saudi Arabia moon-sighting committee just announced that the first day of Ramadan will be Saturday, 1 March. The Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court and the UAE Moon-sighting Committee looked for the crescent moon the night of 28 February to announce that the Holy Month will officially begin in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
BREAKING NEWS | The crescent moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia.
— 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 (@HaramainInfo) February 28, 2025
Therefore, Ramadhān 1446 will begin tonight.
May Allāh ﷻ accept our siyām, qiyām & acts of worship, and may He grant us the ability to utilise the precious moments of this Blessed month to engage in that which… pic.twitter.com/F5HcJou7es
Working hours during Ramadan
Ramadan 2025 will also allow for shorter working hours in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 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 has 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 work is permitted during Ramadan 2025.
What is 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 Sunday, 30 March or Monday, 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 Saudi Arabia, and the dates have not yet been confirmed. Muslims around the world celebrate the holiday with prayers, meals, and gifts.