Middle East

Ramadan 2025 in UAE: When the Holy Month is expected to begin

Published

1 year ago

February 20, 2025

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Ramadan in the UAE is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, 2025, according to astronomer Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society.

The crescent moon marking the start of the Holy Month is expected to be spotted after sunset on Friday, February 28, corresponding to 29 Sha’ban 1446. This means fasting will officially start the next day.

Many Islamic countries rely on official moon sighting efforts, using observatories to confirm the start of fasting. Announcements are expected once the crescent moon’s visibility is verified.

Working Hours During Holy Month

As usual, working hours for both public and private sectors will be shortened throughout Ramadan. The fasting period is expected to last 29 or 30 days, with Eid Al Fitr likely to fall on Sunday, March 30. Employees can look forward to a three-day holiday, lasting until Thursday, April 3.

This Ramadan is also special, as it will be only the second time in 24 years that the Holy Month falls during the cooler winter months, making fasting conditions a bit more comfortable.

Ramadan 2025: What to Expect

Expected Start Date: March 1, 2025 (based on astronomical predictions)
Fasting Hours: 13 hours at the beginning, gradually increasing to 13 hours 42 minutes by the end of Ramadan.
Regional Variations: The eastern UAE will start Suhoor and Iftar about 20 minutes earlier than the western parts of the country.
Ramadan Duration: Expected to last 30 days, with Eid Al Fitr predicted for Monday, March 31.
Shorter Work Hours/Holidays
As always, during Ramadan, public and private sector working hours will be reduced. The first day of Eid Al Fitr is expected to be March 31, with many employees getting a holiday break from March 30 to April 3.

How Date is Calculated?

According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, the new moon will be born after the conjunction of the sun and moon at 4:45 am (UAE time) on February 28. By sunset, the crescent moon is expected to be visible 6 degrees above the horizon, making it possible to observe.

Similarly, the crescent moon of Shawwal 1446 (which marks Eid Al Fitr) is expected to be spotted on March 29 at 2:58 pm (UAE time). However, if the moon is only barely visible at sunset, Ramadan will be predicted to last 30 days, with Eid falling on Monday, March 31.

Stay tuned for official moon sighting announcements closer to the date.

(With inputs from Entrepreneur, Gulf News)

Announcements

Etihad Rail announces official launch date for passenger services

Published

1 week ago

June 23, 2026

Staff Reporter

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The UAE’s national railway developer, Etihad Rail, has announced that the introductory operational phase of its long-awaited passenger rail service between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah will begin on 30 June, reducing travel time between the two emirates to just one hour and 45 minutes.

Passengers will be able to book tickets from 23 June through the Etihad Rail website and mobile application. Fares on the Abu Dhabi–Fujairah route will start from AED55 for Comfort Class and AED120 for Premium Class.

The passenger rail fleet comprises 13 trains, each capable of carrying up to 400 passengers.

The network’s expansion will continue in phases, with Dubai Train Station and Al Dhaid Train Station scheduled to open on 30 September. Stations in Al Dhafra will follow on 30 December, while the route will be fully completed with the opening of Sharjah Train Station on 30 March 2027.

The announcement came as the Mohamed bin Zayed City Passenger Train Station in Abu Dhabi was inaugurated by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

During a tour of the station, Sheikh Khaled reviewed its facilities, operational readiness and infrastructure.

He said the passenger rail project reflects the UAE’s ambition to create a fully integrated transport network, improving connectivity between emirates while supporting economic growth, tourism and urban development.

Etihad Rail said studies would also be carried out to assess the feasibility of extending passenger rail services to additional emirates in the future.

The launch marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s transport infrastructure strategy, with the network designed to connect major population centres, economic hubs and tourist destinations across the country.

Announcements

DWC expansion remains on track; first phase set to complete in 2032

Published

2 weeks ago

June 15, 2026

Staff Reporter

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Work on the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport is progressing on schedule, with Phase 1 expected to commence operations in 2032, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, , has announced.

In a post on social media platform X, Sheikh Hamdan said the project has recorded more than 10 million work hours over the past 15 months, reflecting steady progress across key construction phases.

Work on the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion continues according to the approved timeline, with Phase 1 scheduled to begin operations in 2032. Contracts worth AED13 billion are currently being executed, and more than 10 million work hours have been completed over the… pic.twitter.com/CAfe2TGsxo
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) June 15, 2026

He noted that contracts worth AED 13 billion are currently under execution, while additional contracts valued at AED 55 billion are expected to be awarded in the coming months as part of the expansion programme.

Once completed, the airport is designed to handle more than 250 million passengers annually, reinforcing Dubai’s long-term strategy to strengthen aviation capacity and support economic growth.

“Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s major projects continue to advance with steady progress and confidence,” Sheikh Hamdan added.

Middle East

The Philippines guarantees unemployment cash benefits for Middle East overseas workers amid regional crisis

Published

3 months ago

April 10, 2026

Michael Gomes

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As a 14-day ceasefire brings a temporary lull to regional conflict, the Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines has issued a major reassurance to its 540,000+ active paying OFW members across the Middle East. SSS President Robert Joseph de Claro confirmed today that digital infrastructure remains fully operational, ensuring that displaced workers can access critical “Unemployment Benefits” and pension services regardless of the security situation on the ground.

Who qualifies?

With over 4,300 Filipinos already repatriated as of April 6, the SSS “Unemployment Benefit” serves as a vital bridge for those involuntarily separated from their jobs. To qualify, OFW members must meet the following:

Age: 60 years old or below.
Contributions: At least 36 monthly contributions, with 12 months paid within the 18 months immediately preceding the job loss.
Certification: Involuntary separation must be certified by the DMW (formerly POEA).
Timeline: Applications must be submitted via the My.SSS portal within one year of separation.

Recognising the difficulty of physical travel during the current conflict, SSS has launched a breakthrough Facial Authentication with Liveness Check for its pensioners. This allows retirees in the Middle East to complete their Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP) via smartphone, eliminating the need to visit embassies or consulates.