Ramadan began on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
Ramadan is here, and if you’ve been fasting in the UAE for a while, you’ll know that every year brings a slightly different fasting period. That’s because the Islamic Hijri calendar follows the moon’s sighting, meaning Ramadan shifts by about 10 days annually. This year, the Holy Month began on Wednesday, 18 February, and with cooler weather still in swing, you can expect shorter fasting hours compared to the summer fasts of past years.
Fasting during Ramadan means abstaining from food and drink from Fajr to Maghrib prayers. At the start of Ramadan 2026, Fajr was called around 5.34am, while Maghrib was at approximately 6.18pm. That’s about 13 hours of fasting, notably different from the 16-hour fasts experienced in previous years. However, as the month progresses, fasting hours will increase slightly.
What time is iftar today?
For Thursday, 5 March, Maghrib will be called out at 6.26pm in Dubai, which means that is when you will break your fast.
In Abu Dhabi, Maghrib will be called out at 6.30pm, which means that is when you will break your fast.
The following tables will help you gauge fasting hours and iftar timings for Dubai and Abu Dhabi:
Dubai fasting hours and iftar timings:
Abu Dhabi fasting hours and iftar timings:
*Ramadan timings sourced from GulfNews.com
The UAE has also declared reduced working hours during the Holy Month. UAE labour law states that, during Ramadan, the private sector will operate on reduced hours. Regardless of whether the employee is Muslim or fasting, the working day will be reduced by two hours. Public sector working hours have also been reduced. From Monday to Thursday, employees will work from 9am to 2.30pm, while on Fridays, working hours will be 9am to 12pm, except for roles where operational requirements dictate otherwise.
So, get ready to embrace the spirit of Ramadan and enjoy the blessings it brings.
Ramadan Kareem!