Every year, a period arrives that changes the rhythm of millions of people around the world. Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, is observed by Muslims from Morocco through Turkey and the Gulf countries all the way to Indonesia. It affects more than one billion believers and significantly influences the daily life of entire societies.
The United Arab Emirates are no exception. Islam is the state religion and Muslims make up the majority of the population. According to current data, the share of Muslims stands at approximately 74.5 to 76.9 percent of residents. The remaining population consists of a large expatriate community practicing various religions, including Christianity and Hinduism. Ramadan in the UAE is therefore not only a spiritual event, but also an important social moment that changes the dynamics of cities.
In Dubai, this transformation is especially visible. A city normally associated with speed, ambition and constant energy slows down for several weeks. Days become calmer, evenings longer, and social life shifts to after sunset. Restaurants offer special iftar menus, working hours are reduced and visitors are expected to show respect, including refraining from eating and drinking in public during daylight hours.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and represents the most sacred period of the year for Muslims. It commemorates the beginning of the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
In practical terms, Ramadan is best known for fasting. Muslims who are physically able abstain from food, drink including water, smoking and intimate relations from dawn to sunset. However, it is not only about physical discipline.
Ramadan is a month of self control, reflection and conscious personal growth. Harsh words, conflicts and negativity are avoided. Prayer, reading of the Quran and charitable giving increase. It is believed that a sincerely observed Ramadan brings spiritual purification and strengthens one’s faith.
The daily rhythm has a clear structure. Before dawn, suhoor is eaten as the final meal before fasting begins. Throughout the day, abstinence is observed. Exactly at sunset comes iftar, the ceremonial breaking of the fast, traditionally starting with dates and water. Evenings continue with special prayers known as taraweeh, and during the last ten days spiritual intensity increases, especially during Laylat al Qadr, the Night of Power, considered the holiest night of Ramadan.
Ramadan concludes with the holiday of Eid al Fitr, bringing several days off, family gatherings and celebrations.
Ramadan does not follow the Gregorian calendar. The Islamic year is lunar and approximately ten to twelve days shorter than the solar year, which means Ramadan shifts earlier each year.
The beginning of the month is linked to the sighting of the thin crescent moon after the new moon. If the crescent is sighted, the new month begins the following day. If not, the previous month is completed as thirty days.
In the United Arab Emirates, the official date is announced by the UAE Moon Sighting Committee, which determines the first day of fasting based on moon observation and established guidelines.
In 2026, according to astronomical calculations, Ramadan is expected to begin around 18 February 2026. However, the final confirmation always comes after the official announcement by the committee.
During Ramadan, the city’s dynamics genuinely shift. During the day, Dubai is quieter, less hectic and business activity is more moderate. This does not mean that activities stop, but rather that energy moves into the evening hours.
The key moment comes at sunset. Shortly before iftar, roads become busy and the city is in motion. Once the fast is broken, the atmosphere changes quickly. Restaurants, hotels and Ramadan tents fill up, shopping malls often extend their opening hours and social life continues late into the night.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink, including water, from dawn to sunset. Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam and represents a conscious act of self control, spiritual discipline and strengthening one’s relationship with faith. Each day concludes with iftar at sunset, when the fast is broken.
Under UAE regulations, working hours during Ramadan must be reduced by two hours per day for all private sector employees, regardless of religion. The same adjustment applies to the public sector.
In practice, this means shorter working days, earlier office closures and careful scheduling of meetings outside the time shortly before iftar. Many companies introduce flexible arrangements or remote work.
During Ramadan, schools in Dubai operate on shortened schedules. Private schools regulated by KHDA limit the school day to approximately five hours, while public schools also follow reduced schedules in line with Ministry of Education guidelines. Classes end earlier than usual and physical education is adjusted, particularly for students who are fasting.
The busiest time is typically the hour before sunset. It is advisable not to plan important travel just before iftar and to expect higher demand for taxi services.
In 2026, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism introduced consumer protection measures during Ramadan. Nine essential food categories, including rice, sugar, oil, eggs, dairy products, bread, wheat, poultry and legumes, cannot be subject to price increases without prior approval from the ministry.
Extensive inspections of retail outlets take place across the emirates, and violations can result in fines of up to AED 100,000. The aim is to ensure price stability during a period when households traditionally spend more on food and family gatherings.
From a real estate perspective, Ramadan is a specific period.
At the beginning of the month, activity may slow slightly as some professionals adjust their daily routines. However, developers often use this period to launch special Ramadan offers, which may include more flexible payment terms or marketing incentives.
At the same time, online activity tends to increase, as shorter working days give investors more time to analyze opportunities. Demand for premium projects usually remains stable, particularly among long term investors.
For investors, Ramadan can be a calmer period for negotiations and strategic planning.
Our broker Gabriela Tomášková points to the current Ramadan offer by developer Object 1 as an example of seasonal campaigns that appear on the market during this period. For selected projects in JVC and JVT, specifically ELARIS RISE, ELARIS SKY and ALTA VIEW, the developer offers a 7 percent discount on the purchase price, a special payment plan of 50 percent during construction and 50 percent upon completion, as well as very low monthly installments of 0.25 percent.
The offer includes a 20 percent down payment, payment of the 4 percent DLD fee and units delivered as partially furnished. The promotion is time limited and valid from 5 February to 31 March 2026.
