A non-fasting person’s guide to Ramadan in Qatar
Are you a non-Muslim or unable to fast Ramadan this time around? Are you new to Qatar and need a quick guide on what the general rules are for the month? Here’s a quick breakdown of all you need to know about Ramadan 2023. Qatar is a predominantly Muslim country, yet there’s a sense of camaraderie among the entire community and the Holy Month means rules are in place to respect those who fast. If you are a non-Muslim or someone who is unable to fast owing to sickness, pregnancy, and other reasons, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Here are a rules of conduct to remember for the month of Ramadan:
No eating and drinking in public
When Ramadan begins, it is illegal to eat or drink in public spaces during the fasting day. This rule also extends to chewing gum and smoking in public. Out of respect to fasting persons, this rule is strictly adhered to in all public spaces including most restaurants, malls, public transport, outdoors, parks, and medical facilities. However, everyone is free to eat in public after sunset and until sunrise. In fact, there are quite a few great offers on iftar and suhoor meals happening in hotels around Qatar that are worth checking out.
Dining in before sunset is not permitted in most restaurants
Most restaurants do not offer dine-in during the daytime, before iftar (the breaking of the fast). Their operational hours may also change during the entire month of Ramadan. However, restaurants do offer takeaway and delivery so that option is always open to non-fasting people. Do remember that the restaurant could be particularly busy around iftar time, probably between 4 pm to 6 pm which is the peak order time.
Work hours are shortened
Work hours for ministries, schools, and other public and private sector offices are shortened during Ramadan to make it easier for everyone to adjust their schedules for the month. All public healthcare facilities, however, remain open at their regular hours. Work hours may begin as early 6.30 am and end by 1-2 pm for most employees and students, depending on the Ramadan revised work timings.
Aside from these, here are a few general pointers to keep in mind during the Holy Month:
- Respect prayer timings and refrain from playing loud music during the day and prayer times.
- Dress modestly in all public places
- Ministerial work and approvals might be a bit slow during Ramadan because of shortened work hours and different schedules.
- Shops are open late into the night, so you can shop at a leisurely pace.
- It is the cultural norm to accept invitations to iftar or suhoor gatherings even if you are not fasting.
- Traffic is quite heavy in most areas during iftar time and prayer times (around 5 pm to 6.30 pm), so plan your travel inside the city accordingly.
---
Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Instagram - @qatarliving
Twitter - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
YouTube - qatarlivingofficial
