There’s also a long weekend in the offing
The UAE’s Moon-sighting Committee announced that today, Wednesday, 22 March 2023, will be the 30th day of Sha’ban and therefore, Thursday, 23 March 2023, will be the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan in the UAE.
Muslims across the UAE will begin fasting on this day.
The news was announced on the official Instagram account of the UAE National News Agency, WAM.
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The Holy Month of Ramadan lasts between 29 to 20 days, depending on moon sightings.
A long weekend ahead
This year Eid Al Fitr is then expected to fall on Friday, 21 April.
Based on the Hijri Islamic calendar, official Eid holidays in the UAE will begin from 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal. If astronomical calculations are correct, we all can expect a break from 20-23 April 2023 – a long weekend! This, of course, will need confirmation by the UAE government.
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Dates for Eid Al Adha were also announced. Dhul Hijjah is expected to begin on 19 June which means Eid Al Adha is likely to fall on 28 June. Arafah Day, which comes one day before Eid, is then expected to be on 27 June.
Reduced working hours
The start of the Holy Month of Ramadan also signals shorter working days for both the public and private sectors across the UAE.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) already announced a reduction of two working hours per day for all employees in the private sector.
For the public sector, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) announced that ministries and federal agencies will remain open from 9am to 2.30pm from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, the working hours will be limited to three hours, from 9am to 12pm.
The timings for private schools across the UAE will see their hours reduced to five hours during the Holy Month.
Two options available for schools Ramadan timings include from 7.45am to 12.45pm from Monday to Thursday, and until 11.45am on Friday. Alternatively, institutions starting at 8am will end at 1pm from Monday to Thursday, and at 11.45am on Fridays.
Parking time changes
The announcement of the Holy Month of Ramadan will also herald changes in parking timings across Abu Dhabi.
While no official statements have been made yet by authorities, based on the previous years, here’s what you can expect in the coming month.
Mawaqif parking fees in the capital are applied Saturday to Thursday, from 8am to midnight. Parking is free on Fridays and public holidays.
Watch this space for an official confirmation!
Team Yalla wishes all of you an early Ramadan kareem!
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