The UAE has outlined a raft of measures to ensure Ramadan 2021 can be celebrated in the safest way possible.
People are being urged to limit the number of family visits, while only members of the same household can share meals.
Family and charitable iftar tents are also banned.
#NCEMA: It is not allowed to create family or institutional iftar tents, share meals in public places or provide & distribute iftar meals in front of homes & mosques. Those interested in doing so, must coordinate with charities. With donations & zakat done electronically.
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 16, 2021
The National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) also urges people to avoid distributing and exchanging meals.
The sharing of meals in public places, as well giving iftar meals in front of homes and mosques, is also not allowed this year.
Officials went on to warn against evening gatherings, adding that donations and zakat should be done electronically.
#NCEMA: For the health & safety of society, we advise all to avoid evening gatherings during Ramadan, limit family visits, & avoid distributing & exchanging meals between homes & families. Only members of the same family living in the same house can share meals#TogetherWeRecover
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 16, 2021
Those breaking these rules will face legal action.
Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday April 12, but it will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon Sighting Committee, agreed upon by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
#NCEMA: We call on everyone to cooperate and adhere to measures and instructions, as intensive inspection campaigns will be carried out during Ramadan, and legal measures will be taken against all violators, whether individuals or institutions.#TogetherWeRecover
— NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) March 16, 2021
Here is the full list of rules:
• For the health and safety of society, the government advising avoiding evening gatherings during Ramadan, limiting family visits. It also advises avoiding distributing and exchanging meals between homes and families. Only members of the same family living in the same house should share meals.
• Individuals should not create or build family or institutional iftar tents, share meals in public places or provide and distribute iftar meals in front of homes and mosques. Those interested in doing so should coordinate with charities, with donations and zakat done electronically.
• Restaurants are prohibited from distributing charitable iftar meals inside or in front of their premises, with the delivery of such meals limited to labour housing complexes via direct coordination with the management of labour housing in each region, taking social distancing into account.
• Tarawih prayers will be held according to COVID-19 precautionary measures, in addition to continuing the implementation of all preventive and precautionary measures while praying.
• Iftar meals are not allowed inside mosques, and the duration of the Isha and Tarawih prayers will be limited to 30 minutes maximum.
• Mosques will be closed immediately after prayer, while women’s prayer areas, other facilities, and external roads praying areas will remain closed.
• As for Qiyam-ul-layl during the last ten days of Ramadan, the status of the pandemic in the country will be continuously assessed, and measures will be updated in accordance with new developments.
• Religious lessons and meetings in mosques will remain suspended, with the option of virtual participation. The government encourages reading the Quran through smart devices, and electronic donations, donations and zakat.
