With Ramadan right around the corner, the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced the working hours for all public sector employees, during the course of the Holy month. The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) mentioned that the official working hours for the public sector will be seven hours, from 9am till 2pm every day, except for those whose nature of work demands otherwise. The revised timings for the private sector during Ramadan are yet to be announced. According to Article 65 of the UAE Labour Law, normal working hours for the private sector should be eight hours per day or 48 hours per week. However, they should be reduced by two hours in Ramadan.
This year, Ramadan in the UAE is likely to commence on April 13. In line with the instructions of the Dubai Disaster Management Committee, the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) announced that Isha prayers and Taraweeh can be performed in mosques, as long as worshippers continue to adhere to strict Covid-19 guidelines, including the wearing of face masks at all times and maintaining social distancing.
The duration for both prayers will be reduced to maximum half an hour. Revised guidelines also state that worshippers must bring their own prayer mats to the mosque and should strictly avoid handshakes and any other physical greetings that violate SOPs. Only prayers will be permitted during the sacred month while lectures and seminars in mosques will not be conducted. Nonetheless, lectures will be held virtually. The Supreme Committee will review the situation before making a decision on Qiyam-ul-layl (late night prayers) performed during the last ten days of Ramadan, confirmed Director General of IACAD, Dr Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani.
