The Important Dos and Don’ts of Ramadan – What Travellers Should Know About This Holy Month

During the time of Ramadan, you will find that working hours at establishments like malls, banks, markets and others are likely to change; often, such places will open late and close early. Therefore, it would be a good idea to check whether the establishment you seek would be open before visiting it. 

Whilst it would be advisable to dress modestly when in Muslim countries such as Qatar at any time of the year, this guideline will be particularly important during Ramadan. At this time, it is vital to demonstrate respect for the local culture by avoiding revealing or skimpy clothing when out in public. 

During Ramadan, it would be appropriate to greet your local colleagues and friends by wishing them either ‘Ramadan Kareem’ or ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ which could both be translated to mean ‘Happy Ramadan’. The locals will appreciate this friendly and courteous greeting. 

For the local Muslims, suhoor happens to be the meal taken before dawn that sustains them through the day of fasting. On the other hand, iftar taken at sunset is the meal that concludes the day of fasting. You will find that iftar in particular is a festive and grand meal with families and friends getting together to enjoy it after the fast. Many of the foremost accommodation providers in Qatar offer these special meals as well. One of the Doha resorts to consider where you could enjoy an iftar meal would be Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara.

As you might expect, you must take care not to eat anything, smoke or drink in public settings during the daytime in this holy month. Also, keep in mind that it happens to be illegal to drink or eat in public in Qatar during Ramadan. Additionally, many cafes and restaurants would be closed to the public during these hours. Further, you shouldn’t consume alcohol even in private when Muslims are present at this time of the year. 

If you happen to be a Muslim or are trying out fasting (it is not unacceptable for non-Muslims to do so), you should take care not to overwork during this period as this could affect your health. Additionally, if you work long hours, you may find yourself driving home recklessly to be punctual for iftar; naturally, this could put you and others in harm’s way. 

During Ramadan, you will often find that the local supermarkets are busy from the time of noon to the time of iftar as you will find many families stocking up on groceries in anticipation of the evening meal. Plan your trip to the supermarket in the morning when it will be less crowded. Don't forget to also take the opportunity to buy some of the festive foods on offer such as qatayef which are pancakes eaten with dates, cheese and nuts.