The holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday May 6…

Ahead of the beginning of Ramadan, the ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced that the private sector will have reduced working hours throughout the holy month.

Over Ramadan, the ministry said that private sector establishments, institutions and companies would have to reduce normal work hours by two hours, reports Gulf Business.

For most companies, working hours will be 9am until 4pm, a two hour reduction from the regular working hours of 9am until 6pm. 

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.

In the UAE, the official date will be announced by the moon-sighting committee early next week.

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.

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