Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is considered one of the holiest months for Muslims. The observance of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It involves the regular practice of fasting, prayer, reflection, and acts of service. Ramadan is expected to begin in the evening on 10 March 2024 and end on 09 April 2024. During Ramadan, Muslims around the world abstain from eating or drinking, which is called ‘roza’ from dawn to sunset. Subsequently, they partake in ‘Suhoor/suhur/sehri’ which is the predawn meal before the morning prayer called ‘Fajr’. At sunset, the members gather to break their fast with a meal known as iftar after the evening prayer called ‘Maghrib’. Followers also engage in special prayers called ‘Taraweeh’, which are performed in congregation at the mosque or at home.

Possible Disruptions and Security Checks

SAUDI ARABIA

11 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• On 20 February, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs issued a set of instructions for mosque employees to follow during the month of Ramadan.
  • The use of cameras in the mosques to photograph the imam and the worshipers during the performance of the prayers is prohibited.
  • The Ministry stressed the need for mosque servants and maintenance and cleaning institutions to ensure the cleanliness of the mosque and women’s prayer rooms.
  • The Ministry also issued orders restricting imams and muezzins from collecting financial donations for organizing iftar feasts.
  • Based on the order issued by Saudi Arabia’s Prince, Mohammad Bin Salman and the Islamic Affairs Ministry of Saudi Arabia imposed a ban on organizing iftar feasts inside the mosques, raising concerns regarding cleanliness.
• All ministries and federal agencies will operate from 0900 hours to 1430 hours (local time) from Monday to Thursday. However, on Fridays, the working hours will be between 0900 hours to 1200 hours (local time), unless the nature of the work necessitates otherwise.
• Private sector employees can expect a reduction in working hours, capped at a maximum of six hours per day during Ramadan.
• School hours are expected to be five hours a day, running between 1000 hours to 1500 hours (local time).
• COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.

QATAR

11 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• The Qatari Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs’ General Department of Endowments has announced the ‘Iftar Saim’ campaign, under which 700,000 Iftar meals will be distributed across 20 locations in the country throughout Ramadan 2024.
• The campaign will see the establishment of Ramadan tents at 15 key locations, including Ain Khalid, Al Sailiya, the Industrial Area, the Old Airport area, and Umm Ghuwailina. The stalls will be set up at the following locations: Ain Khaled, Al Sailiya, Industrial Zone (Eid Musalla Street 23), Al-Attiyah, Industrial Area, Street 38 – Empire Hospital, Al-Rayyan, Al Montazah, Umm Salal Muhammad, Al Wakra, Al Khor near Othman Ibn Imran Mosque, AlAziziyah, Al-Eid, Al-Ali, Al Sulaimi Market, Marsa, Al-Thumama, Old Airport, Umm Ghuwailina, Council of Cooperation signals, Ibn Mahmoud (Jaidah Bridge), Faleh Market, and Salwa Road (Azab Complex).
• Increased tourist footfall can be anticipated in the areas at Old Doha Port including, Mina District, Box Park, and the Cruise Terminal as well as at Souq Waqif, Katara, Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Grand Mosque, or Souq Al Wakra.
• Working hours during Ramadan are legally reduced by five hours in government offices and six hours in private offices, working a maximum of 30 hours a week. However, there are a few exceptions in healthcare, Hamad International Airport (HIA) and Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).
• In Qatar, it is illegal to eat, or drink in public from dawn to sunset during Ramadan.
• It is illegal to consume alcohol in public. Bars, lounges, and nightclubs are closed during Ramadan as they serve as drinks distribution centers.
• COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.

BAHRAIN

10 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• During Ramadan, the daily working hours will be reduced by two hours, which means employees will only be required to work six hours a day or 36 hours a week.
• At the Bahrain Stock Exchange, the official working hours at the stock exchange will be from 0830 hours to 1430 hours local time. The trading sessions will be held between 1000 hours to 1300 hours.
• COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.

ISRAEL

10 March 2024 – 08 April 2024

• COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.
• During the first week of Ramadan, the entry of worshippers to the Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem will be permitted, similar to the numbers in previous years. A weekly assessment of the security and safety aspects will be held; a decision will be made accordingly.
• No comments have been made by Israeli government on whether Palestinians from the West Bank would be allowed to enter Jerusalem to pray at Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, since restrictions were imposed since the Israel-Hamas war started on 07 October 2023.
• Waqf announced that in 2024 the Etaqaf (a period of staying in a mosque) will take place as usual during the last ten days of Ramadan and, in addition, on weekends when Jews do not ascend the Temple Mount.
• No restrictions implemented on the entry of Israeli Arabs to Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

KUWAIT

10 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• Government agencies and ministries in Kuwait will adopt a flexible working hours system, setting the workday at four and a half hours.
• Within this timeframe, there is a 30-minute grace period for women, allowing them to arrive 15 minutes late to work and leave 15 minutes early. Men have a single 15-minute grace period at the beginning of their shift.
• Time slots for attendance and dismissal:
  • 0800 hours to 1300 hours (local time)
  • 0900 hours to 1330 hours (local time)
  • 0930 hours to 1400 hours (local time)
  • 1000 hours to 1430 hours (local time)
  • 1030 hours to 1500 hours (local time)
• Private organizations are exempt from the five-hour weekday requirement and employers are allowed to decide about the work schedule during Ramadan.
• y During Ramadan 2024, school timings in Kuwait will be shorter compared to those of the regular school year, with the following announced durations: Kindergarten (three hours and 30 minutes), Elementary School (four hours), Middle School (four hours and 30 minutes), and High School (four hours and 30 minutes).
• While official announcements regarding Doha Metro and Lusail Tram service hours during Ramadan 2024 have not been made yet, based on previous years, we can anticipate extended hours throughout the holy month.
• All COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

OMAN

10 March 2024 – 10 April 2024

• Within units of the State’s administrative apparatus the official work hours will be from 0900 hours to 1400 hours (local time)
• The head of a unit may determine the hours of attendance and leave that suit the unit’s work as per scheduled work hours based on the following timeframes:
  • From 0700 hours until 1200 hours (local time)
  • From 0800 hours until 1300 hours (local time)
  • From 0900 hours until 1400 hours (local time)
  • From 1000 hours until 1500 hours (local time)
• The head of a unit may implement remote work for employees whose jobs’ nature allows for remote work, without prejudice to the workflow in that unit.
• In all cases, the number of employees who are required to attend their workplaces shall not be less than 50 per cent of the total employees of the unit.
• Oman’s private sector establishments has reduced work hours to six hours per day, with no more than 30 hours per week.
• Eating in public places, including workspaces and offices, is considered offensive and may get one in trouble with the police.
• Muslims living in Muscat, Salalah, Seeb, Sohar, and other cities observe Ramadan as per the Sehri time or Iftar time in Oman.
• Public and private sectors may announce Eid holidays from 09 April to 12 April.

EGYPT

11 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.
• Taraweeh prayers, or night prayers, will continue to be performed during Ramadan without any time constraints.
• Seclusion inside mosques, also known as Itikaf, will be allowed in Egyptian mosques during Ramadan in 2024.
• Working hours for public banks during Ramadan will likely be from 0930 hours to 1330 hours.
• Shops, restaurants, malls, cafes, and marketplaces will be allowed to operate until 0200 hours throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Eateries can run 24 hours a day for home delivery and takeaway services. Supermarkets, groceries, bakeries, and pharmacies are allowed to operate round the clock.
• The operation schedule of Cairo metro lines during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr is as follows:
  • All metro lines will start operating at 0515 hours.
  • The last trains on the first line from Helwan and from New Marg will depart at 0015 hours.
  • The last trains on the second line from Shubra Al-Khaima and from AlMunib will depart at 0030 hours.
  • The last train on the third line from Adly Mansour will leave at 0007 hours.
  • The last train on the third line of Kit Kat will depart at 0038 hours.
  • The last train of the first line will reach the transit station of Anwar Al Sadat at 0100 hours.
  • The last train will reach the interchange station of Gamal Abdel Nasser at 0030 hours.
  • The last train in Ataba station, the interchange station of the second line with the third, will reach at 0030 hours.
• COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.

MOROCCO

11 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• The capacity restrictions for public gatherings have been removed, allowing group Iftars.
• The official working hours for ministries and federal agencies are expected to be from 0900 to 1500 hours (local time), Monday to Friday. Employees of public institutions will have time allotted for Friday prayers.
• For the private sector, working hours will be reduced by two hours per day. Companies have the flexibility to implement remote work or flexible schedules within the reduced daily working hours, depending on the nature of the work.
• Daylight saving time will be suspended during Ramadan 2024. Sunrise and sunset will occur approximately 1 hour earlier on 10 March than the day before.
• In adherence to the 2023 guidelines, both public and private schools are scheduled to implement reduced daily operating hours, typically totaling five hours. Elementary schools are expected to commence classes 30 minutes later and conclude 30 minutes earlier than their regular schedule.
• Most COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed.

GHANA

11 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• Many businesses may adjust their hours during Ramadan, as there is no single, standardized approach across the country.
• Government offices and public services may also have adjusted hours during Ramadan.
• COVID-19 restrictions have been eased across the country.
• The deliberate consumption of some food, smoking or drinking water, or alcohol is prohibited.

BANGLADESH

11 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• Bangladesh Bank has set bank operating hours for banks between 0930-1600 hours during the holy month of Ramadan.
• The transaction time for this period will be 0930-1430 hours.

PAKISTAN

11 March 2024 – 09 April 2024

• Balochistan government announced office timings for government offices from 0900-1500 hours. The office hours will be reduced on Fridays from 0900-1300 hours.
• For offices operating six days a week, the revised timings for Ramadan will be from 0900-1400 hours on regular days and until 1200 hours on Fridays. y In the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, gas supply will be available from 0300-0900 hours for Sehri (meal eaten before sunrise) and for Iftar (meal eaten to break fasting after sunset), the gas supply will remain open from 1500-2200 hours.

Ramadan In Europe

• Ramadan is observed by numerous Muslim communities across Europe. Followers will observe the fasts between 10 March to 09 April in most European countries.
• Ramadan Calendar – https://www.islamicfinder.org/ramadan-calendar/
• Although, no immediate impact is anticipated for local businesses yet but in case in terms of work timings and operations, the possibility of disruptions including large gatherings and traffic congestion can be anticipated at/around the below mentioned locations.

Significant Risks during Ramadan 2024

• Civil Disturbance (stampede)
• Traffic Disruptions (diversions, blockades, congestion)
• Crime (thefts, pickpocketing, inappropriate behavior towards women)
• Financial scams
• Fire hazards (Fireworks, outdoor barbecues)
• Business Disruptions (temporary closures, staff shortages)
• Injuries (falling, sliding)
• Health Risks (Heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration)

Recommendations

For Business Organizations

• Remain abreast with government directives and regulations related to Ramadan.
• Stay updated on any official announcements regarding adjusted work schedules during the Holy month and subsequent Eid-Al-Fitr public holidays.
• Communicate with employees and clients to manage expectations and mitigate any potential impact on business activities.
• Stay updated on any official notifications or advisories regarding traffic management measures during the festival.
• Allow additional travel time and consider alternative routes when commuting to event venues or conducting business in areas prone to congestion.

For Individuals

• Large gatherings can be anticipated in and around the Mosques to perform prayers and Taraweeh and during the Iftaari. Roadblocks/diversions can be anticipated at/around the mosques and event venues.
• During Ramadan, most shops close early and open late, make sure to check the timings before going anywhere. Advised to be cautious of the consumption of meat or food items, ensuring they are properly prepared and cooked.
• Maintain situational awareness and plan commute, as a large number of food stalls are likely to be set up near mosques and along the roadsides, traffic congestion can be experienced in these areas during and after the prayer hours.
• Report any suspicious activity or unattended luggage/item to the police immediately.
• It is advised to refrain from indulging in any religious/political debates, on both online and offline platforms as religious sentiments are likely to remain high.
• It is advised to adhere to rules regarding the prohibition of filming or clicking photos during prayer time inside the mosque.
• Air traffic is expected to be high during the Eid-Al-Adha holiday season amid the festive rush in many countries around this time. Airports are likely to follow elaborate security arrangements, hence travelers are advised to reach airports well in advance.
• Shipment and logistical delays cannot be ruled out.