How has Ramadan become the Economy Booster of Dubai?

While 2020 was a very challenging year for many nations, the UAE was able to overcome the COVID 19 outbreak by creating an Emirati Experience that showcases the teamwork of the government and residents.

The main aspect of the Emirati Experience was to utilize medical knowledge with digital technology. Through their on-time COVID 19 combat plan, they were able to ease the situation and be one of the successful nations to proudly do the COVID 19-Exit.

By doing that, the government assured people of “life going back to normal” but with certain transformations. COVID 19 brought about many eye-opening, thought-converting, positive developments. The economy was going through a restructuring process in which specific religion and its practices were going through an evolution, one of them being Ramadan.

Ramadan, being one of the most auspicious months for Muslims all over the world, took a backseat during the pandemic. Being a time when friends and family come together and share their meals with each other, as a protective measure, communal prayers were limited, and large family and social gatherings were banned. Suhoor, late-night events, and large tents were suspended, food distribution was halted, and meal distribution was altered. 

To bring back the essence of the Emirati Experience, the UAE government took its transformative measures to another level by relaxing certain rules and regulations that were practiced in the past during Ramadan to make it a Universal Experience for all. Iftar tents, communal prayers, and social gatherings, which were prohibited for almost two years, were reinstated by UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority. According to the regulatory bodies, “this comes in line with the national strategy to maintain public health and safety in light of the resumption of various public activities, and in support of the tireless efforts made at the country level to achieve sustainable recovery and restore normalcy.” In addition to reinstating the Ramadan practices, a number of rules and regulations were altered to boost the economy of the city and accommodate the needs of the pandemic-affected industries. 

Before, restaurants had to block their dining areas from those who were fasting. Screens, curtains, and dividers were used by restaurants to shield customers during Ramadan hours. Certain food and beverage outlets such as bars, eateries, and cafeterias remained closed until sunset when the fast is broken. Thus, people refrained from going out and eating elsewhere. 

Now, the Dubai Department of Economic Development has eased its regulations and lifted restrictions by allowing food and beverage outlets to serve throughout the day without any special permit. Licensed outlets, such as bars, lounges, and restaurants in the hotels, are allowed to operate as long as they respect the culture by having no live music and keeping entertainment to a minimum. 

Malls, pharmacies, supermarkets, take-away or delivery joints, and other forms of businesses remain open during the month of Ramadan. The relaxing of rules, which started in 2016, was fast-forwarded after the pandemic to boost the affected industries, most especially the tourism and food and beverage industry.