Dubai: Ban On Covering Restaurants Till Iftar Lifted

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai has lifted the ban on covering restaurants to keep food out of the sight of fasting people in honour of the month of Ramadan.

According to the reports, the City-State Department of Economic Development announced on Sunday that during Ramadan, it will not be prohibited to cover food and drink activities in restaurants during the day.

The UAE’s state-run news agency, Emirates News Agency (WAM), reported that customers would be allowed to provide services inside the restaurant without curtains or barriers.

In the past, during the month of Ramadan in the UAE, guidelines were issued to restaurant owners to cover the dining area with curtains to protect them from the eyes of the people who fasting.

After the new announcement, restaurants will no longer need to obtain special permits to serve food during the day.

Dubai, the city of the United Arab Emirates, famous for its worldwide tourism, is mostly visited by tourists who enjoy the beach, shopping and parties in skyscrapers.

However, during the month of Ramadan, the tourism business is slower than in other months due to various restrictions.

The aim of obtaining special dining permits for restaurants during Ramadan and lifting the ban on concealing the dining area from fasters is said to be to promote tourism in the country.

Some Arab Gulf states also impose penalties for not covering restaurants during Ramadan and eating and drinking in public during the day.

Note that the crescent moon for the month of Ramadan has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court has announced. 

In a statement issued by the Saudi Supreme Court, Tuesday (April 13) will mark the first day of Ramadan.

This will be the second year when the Holy month will be observed under the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is observed by the entire Muslim community from around the world.

The Muslims engage in good deeds and ask for forgiveness and refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.

This annual practice is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. It is said that Ramadan is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation.

Moreover, the Saudi government had announced that Iftar gatherings and I’tikaf will not be allowed in the Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi during Ramadan.

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the head of affairs of the two mosques, said that the Presidency would provide ready-made food to the worshipers in the Masjid al-Haram, while Sehri would not be allowed in the Prophet (PBUH) Mosque.

No one will be allowed to eat in the courtyards of both mosques and everyone will be provided food individually.

Zamzam water coolers will also not be available and 200,000 bottles of Zamzam water will be provided on a daily basis.

In addition, those who wish to break the fast in the Masjid al-Haram will only be allowed to bring dates and water for themselves and will not be allowed to share them with anyone.