The UAE's Moon-sighting Committee has just made an announcement: tomorrow, Monday, the 11th of March 2024, marks the commencement of Ramadan in the UAE. Today, Sunday, signifies the end of Shaaban, setting the stage for the holiest month of the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan holds profound significance as it commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) during Laylat Al Qadr, one of its sacred nights. It's a time of spiritual reflection, generosity, and divine blessings.
During Ramadan, devout Muslims observe fasting from dawn to dusk, an essential pillar of Islam that emphasizes self-discipline and empathy.
Recognizing the importance of this period, both the public and private sectors in the UAE are adjusting their working hours. Federal government employees will adhere to working hours from 9 am to 2:30 pm from Mondays to Thursdays and from 9 am to 12 pm on Fridays, as stipulated by the circular issued by the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR). Similarly, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has decreed a reduction of two working hours per day for employees in the private sector throughout Ramadan.