Nine months into our Dubai journey, we experienced something completely new: our first Ramadan in a Muslim country.
We're sharing this as learners, not experts. Coming from a small British market town, we weren't exposed to many different cultures or religions. This move has been eye-opening – and Ramadan especially so.
If you're relocating to Dubai, understanding Ramadan isn't optional. With Muslims making up approximately 56% of Dubai's population (and 77% across the UAE), it's important to understand and respect the culture of the place you now call home.
What Is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest month for Muslims worldwide.
This is when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It's one of the Five Pillars of Islam – fasting during Ramadan isn't optional for Muslims; it's prescribed by Allah in the Quran.
Why Do Muslims Fast?
The fasting develops three things:
- Self-discipline
- Empathy – for those who have less
- God-consciousness (called Taqwa)
When does Ramadan happen? Because it follows the lunar calendar, the dates change each year. In 2025, it ran from approximately 1st March to 9th April.
The Five Pillars of Islam
Learning about Ramadan led us to understand the broader context of Islamic faith:
| Pillar | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Shahada | Profession of faith – declaring belief in Allah and Muhammad as his messenger |
| Salat | Prayer five times daily (all year, not just Ramadan) |
| Zakat | Giving 2.5% of annual wealth to charity |
| Sawm | Fasting during Ramadan |
| Hajj | Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once if physically and financially able |
The Zakat really struck me. Giving 2.5% of your wealth to charity – not when you have extra, but as a pillar of your faith. That's commitment.
The Five Daily Prayers
I'll be honest – I thought Muslims only prayed five times a day during Ramadan. That's not true. It's all year round.
| Prayer | Time |
|---|---|
| Fajr | Before dawn |
| Dhuhr | Midday |
| Asr | Late afternoon |
| Maghrib | Sunset |
| Isha | Nighttime |
During Ramadan, many Muslims add Taraweeh – a special nighttime prayer where the Quran is recited in parts throughout the month.
What We've Observed
The word that keeps coming up: commitment.
We've seen taxi drivers pull over to pray at the side of the road. When we had curtains installed, the fitter asked "Is it okay if I pray?" – of course it was.
Everywhere you go in Dubai – shopping malls, office buildings, anywhere with toilets – there are prayer rooms. Female prayer room one way, male prayer room the other. We're so adjusted to it now, but for newcomers it's worth knowing.
Suhoor and Iftar: The Meals
Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal)
This is the nutritious meal Muslims eat before dawn, before the fast begins. It provides energy for the day ahead.
Iftar (Breaking the Fast)
This is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset. Traditionally, the fast is broken with a date – following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad.
But here's what surprised us: Iftars are incredibly social, community-focused events. And they're not exclusive to Muslims.
"Non-Muslims can go to Iftar. Everyone is welcome. It's a community thing – so inclusive. I find it beautiful."
We went to our first Iftar with friends (shout out to Maya and Mani from Bless Brothers). If you're invited, go! It's a wonderful way to experience the culture.
Tip: It's good etiquette to bring a small gift to an Iftar.
How Ramadan Affects Daily Life in Dubai
School Hours
Every school operates on reduced "Ramadan hours" – this applies regardless of curriculum or the religious makeup of students. Our boys finish at 12:45pm instead of their regular time.
Why? Many staff members are fasting, and the general pace of life slows down. Public sector workers can have up to two hours less work per day during Ramadan.
Note: The fees don't reduce. Still paying full fees for fewer hours. That's tough when you're not fasting yourself!
Traffic
This caught us off guard:
- During the day: Roads are much clearer
- 5:30-7pm: Absolute carnage
Everyone is rushing home to break their fast. We've heard it called "Iftar traffic." Factor in extra time if you need to be anywhere around sunset.
Restaurants and Cafes
Many places have "Ramadan hours." Some close during daylight. Others have screened-off sections for non-fasting customers.
We got caught out in Al Ain – we were excited to find a Starbucks three minutes from our hotel. It was on Ramadan hours. Closed.
Businesses
Gyms, shops, restaurants – many operate on reduced hours. It varies by location and the local community. Check ahead.
When Do Children Start Fasting?
Children begin fasting when they reach puberty (around 12-15 years old).
Many families introduce younger children to partial fasting – maybe missing one meal – to help them understand the practice before they're old enough to fully participate.
Funny story: One of our boys tried to "do Ramadan" after learning about it at school back in England. He lasted a day and a half. The only thing he actually gave up was dessert. Even that was too much.
The Greetings
When Ramadan begins, you'll hear (and see):
- "Ramadan Kareem" – Have a blessed Ramadan
- "Ramadan Mubarak" – Same meaning
In our community, there are Ramadan Kareem decorations lit up on the roundabouts – just like Christmas or Halloween decorations. People say it in WhatsApp groups, at work, everywhere. It's like "Merry Christmas" for this time of year.
Dos and Don'ts During Ramadan
DO:
- Accept invitations to Iftar – Don't think "I'm not Muslim, I can't go." It's incredibly inclusive. Bring a small gift.
- Be mindful of fasting colleagues – Energy levels may be lower. Don't schedule meetings around sunset when they're about to break their fast.
- Dress modestly – This applies all year, but especially during Ramadan. Just be respectful.
- Get involved in charity – Ramadan is a time of generosity. We saw a dad and his five-year-old handing out packed lunches to taxi drivers at our roundabout. Beautiful.
- Visit Ramadan markets and community tents – There are special gatherings and markets that pop up. Experience the culture.
- Say "Ramadan Kareem" – It's appreciated.
DON'T:
- Eat, drink, or smoke in public during daylight hours – Be discreet if you need water. Don't chug it while walking down the street.
- Play loud music or be disruptive – It's a time of reflection.
- Display public affection – This is generally discouraged in Muslim countries, but especially during Ramadan.
- Schedule meetings around sunset – People are breaking their fast. Respect that.
What We're Taking Away
This experience has taught us things we'll carry forward – not just during Ramadan.
On Faith and Commitment
"Whether the bigger thing is real or not, you still get the benefits of faith. Self-discipline, gratitude, generosity, empathy – all of these come from following something bigger than yourself. I find that beautiful."
On Charity
We've heard about places where you can volunteer – serve food at community Iftars, visit locals who have very little. A friend described visiting families with "not even a seat to sit on" and bringing toys for the children.
We want to get our boys involved. Not to spoil them, but to help them appreciate what they have and want to give to others who are less fortunate.
On Keeping These Values Going
Here's the thing: it shouldn't take Ramadan for us to be generous, empathetic, and charitable. That should be all year round.
But Ramadan has been a "forcing function" – a moment to think about these values. The challenge now is: how do we keep this going? Maybe a charitable day every month as a family. Little building blocks.
"It's like when you're speeding on the motorway and a police car makes you slow down. You think 'I should stop speeding.' But 10 miles later, you're speeding again. Ramadan has made us think – now it's our responsibility as parents to keep this going."
Final Thoughts
We approached this as learners. If we've mispronounced something or got details wrong, please let us know in the comments – this is the start of a conversation, not the end of it.
What we've loved most is how inclusive it all is. Non-Muslims are welcomed to Iftars and celebrations. The generosity and community spirit is genuine.
For families relocating: take the time to learn about Ramadan. Not because you have to, but because understanding the culture of your new home helps you build deeper connections with the people around you.
And honestly? Some of these values – discipline, empathy, charity, gratitude – they're worth taking on regardless of your faith.
Planning Your Move to Dubai?
Understanding the culture is just one part of relocating. Here are some resources to help:
- Take the neighbourhood quiz – Find the right area for your family
- 10 Things We Wish We Knew – Honest advice after a year here
- Explore the Relocation Package – If you want hands-on help navigating the move
Ramadan Kareem to those observing. And for everyone else – take a moment to learn about the culture around you. It's worth it. 🌙