Timings for Dubai schools, metro and parking throughout the holy month have also been adjusted…

The International Astronomical Centre has predicted that Ramadan will begin on Monday May 6 in most Islamic nations.

Mohamed Shawkat, director of the International Astronomical Centre, said that the crescent moon would be impossible to spot with the naked eye from the East, Southeast Asia, Southern Europe and most of the Arab nations on Sunday, May 5.

Although we’re still waiting for an official announcement from the moon sighting committee in the UAE, this is expected within the coming days.

If the predictions are correct, Ramadan will be declared the following day.

Last year, Ramadan started a little later, beginning on May 17. Each year the dates shift back by roughly nine days, in line with the Hijri calendar.

School hours reduced

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has also revealed the reduced school hours for Ramadan in Dubai. During the holy month, school days will start between 8am and 8.30am and finish between 1pm to 1.30pm — with shorter breaks as required.

“Schools should ensure that the total hours at school per day for students do not exceed five hours,” said Mohammed Darwish, CEO of Permits and Compliance at KHDA.

“Fasting students should be exempt from physical education (PE) classes and any other demanding physical activities without influencing their grades and overall academic performance. All students must be protected from the risks of exhaustion and dehydration,” he added.

ALSO READ: New to Dubai? Here’s everything you need to know about Ramadan

Parking timings

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have announced split parking times for Ramadan 2019 in Dubai.

From Saturday to Thursday, parking fees will apply between 8am and 6pm, and between 8pm and midnight.

The timings will remain the same in Tecom-regulated zones, with fees applicable from 8am to 6pm. Tariffs at multi-level parking lots will be applicable as normal all day, every day.

Dubai Metro

During Ramadan, public transport users can expect adjusted timings for the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram as follows:

Dubai Metro: Metro stations on the Red Line will operate from Saturday to Wednesday from 5am to midnight. On Thursdays, they will run from 5am to 1am (of the following day), and on Fridays from 10am to 1am (of the following day).

The metro stations on the Green Line will operate from 5.30am to midnight from Saturday to Wednesday. On Thursdays, they will run from 5.30am to 1am (of the following day), and on Fridays from 10am to 1am (of the following day).

Dubai Tram: The Dubai Tram will operate from Saturday to Thursday from 6am to 1am (of the following day), and on Fridays from 9am to 1am (of the following day).

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