In 2015, I landed my first job in Dubai just before Ramadan. My manager, a veteran of the city, gave me a knowing smile and said, “Enjoy the quiet.” Back then, Ramadan meant shorter working hours, slower business, and a general sense of calm settling over the city. Traffic would ease, emails could wait, and the whole month felt like a gentle, collective exhale.
Fast forward to 2025, and Ramadan in Dubai is anything but slow. The city is moving at full speed. Boardrooms are packed, deadlines are tight, and the traffic is just as maddening as any other month. Ramadan is still here, but it is no longer Ramadan-ing the way it used to.
A City That Does Not Pause
Traditionally, Ramadan across the Middle East has been a time of slowing down. In Riyadh, offices adjust to significantly reduced hours, and many businesses operate on a near-nocturnal schedule. Government offices typically close by noon, and corporate sectors work reduced shifts, making way for a focus on prayer and family. Restaurants remain closed during daylight hours, and the streets stay relatively quiet until Iftar, when the cities burst into life.
Cairo follows a similar rhythm, with work winding down in the afternoon and streets coming alive after Iftar. The country’s famous Ramadan tents fill with families and friends enjoying long nights of food, music, and conversation. Business activities slow significantly, with many industries operating at a reduced capacity throughout the month.
But in Dubai, business goes on as usual, if not at a more frantic pace. The financial hubs hum with activity, meetings stack up, and major projects push forward without hesitation. Many companies maintain the six-hour workday policy only for practising Muslims, but in reality, deliverables do not wait. If anything, workloads feel heavier, compressed into fewer hours.
Work Hard, Party If You Want
Beyond the workplace, the shift is even more striking. Unlike many neighbouring cities, where Ramadan dictates public life, Dubai remains a city of choice. Alcohol is still served. Restaurants stay open in daylight hours, not just for tourists but for residents who choose not to fast. Hotels and nightlife continue to operate, catering to those who want to keep the city’s energy alive after dark. You can observe Ramadan as devoutly or as loosely as you wish, without judgment or restriction.
Malls remain bustling throughout the day, with many retailers offering extended hours post-Iftar. Entertainment options do not take a backseat, with concerts, events, and even brunches continuing as usual. The famous Ramadan tents, which are a focal point in other Middle Eastern cities, exist in Dubai but cater more to the city’s luxury-seeking clientele rather than being a cultural staple of community gathering.
A Balanced Approach to Ramadan
One of the key differences in Dubai is how relaxed its Ramadan laws are compared to other Middle Eastern countries. Unlike Riyadh, where eating and drinking in public during daylight hours is prohibited and can result in legal consequences, Dubai has eased restrictions to accommodate its diverse population. Many restaurants remain open and non-Muslims are not required to adjust their routines.
Similarly, unlike Cairo, where there is an unspoken cultural expectation to observe fasting, Dubai maintains a more inclusive stance. Workplaces allow flexibility, and the city fosters an environment where both those observing Ramadan and those who are not can coexist without friction.
This creates an experience that blends Islamic traditions with modern cosmopolitanism, ensuring that the essence of Ramadan is respected while also embracing the city’s international and multicultural identity. It is a model that allows people to practice their faith without imposing restrictions on others, striking a balance between devotion and personal choice.
The Evolution of Ramadan in Dubai
So, what changed? Some point to Dubai’s ever-growing international workforce, where a melting pot of cultures means not everyone follows the same traditions. Others highlight the city’s economic ambitions. Dubai does not afford itself the luxury of slowing down when global markets move at full speed. Tourism, trade, and finance demand continuity, and in a city that thrives on momentum, the old Ramadan rhythm no longer applies.
Additionally, government policies have adapted to reflect Dubai’s unique demographic. Unlike in other cities, where public observance of Ramadan is enforced, Dubai’s approach is more inclusive. Non-Muslims are not expected to adjust their routines, and workplaces accommodate both fasting and non-fasting employees in a way that ensures productivity remains uninterrupted.
Yet, for those who remember a quieter, slower Ramadan, the shift feels significant. The spiritual essence of the month remains, but the collective experience has fractured. No longer is there an enforced pause, a shared sense of slowing down. Instead, Ramadan in Dubai is what you make of it, a deeply personal choice rather than a societal expectation.
The New Normal
The question now is whether this is a permanent evolution or just another phase of the city’s rapid transformation. Will Dubai ever return to the slower, more reflective Ramadans of the past? Unlikely. The city has embraced its identity as a place where life does not stop. And for better or worse, that is what makes Dubai, Dubai.
For those nostalgic for the old rhythm, there is always a weekend escape to Cairo or Riyadh. But for everyone else, Ramadan in Dubai is simply another chapter in a city that never really hits pause.
Moey writes here. 
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