Ramadan 2025: UAE announces shorter working hours for public sector

Image: Getty Images

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has issued a circular outlining the official working hours for federal government employees during the Holy Month of Ramadan 1446 Hijri.

As per the circular, ministries and federal authorities will operate from 9 am to 2:30 pm from Monday to Thursday, while on Fridays, the working hours will be from 9 am to 12 pm.

FAHR also emphasised that ministries and federal authorities have the flexibility to implement remote or flexible working schedules based on their specific requirements, provided they remain within the approved daily working hours.

الهيئة تعلن ساعات العمل في شهر رمضان للوزارات والجهات الاتحادية pic.twitter.com/9PcnLKrQx2

— FAHR (@FAHR_UAE) February 23, 2025

The authority alos stated that up to 70 per cent of staff in federal government departments will be permitted to work from home on Fridays during Ramadan, in accordance with the approved regulations.

Ramadan is likely to commence on March 1

The UAE’s International Astronomy Centre (IAC) recently predicted that most Muslims around the world will likely begin observing fasting on Saturday, March 1, marking the start of Ramadan as the crescent will be visible the night before.

The official start will be confirmed after moon-sighting committees convene on February 28 to check for the crescent.

Ramadan’s duration depends on the sighting of the moon, typically lasting 29 or 30 days.

Read: Planning your next break? Here’s the list of UAE public holidays in 2025