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When Will Ramadan 2025 Start? UAE Work And School Hours, Public Transport Adjustments And More

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 28, 2025

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1. Millions of people in the UAE and around the world observe Ramadan every year. Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast from dawn until dusk, pray more, and increase acts of charity. The month commemorates the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Start Date And End Date Of Ramadan

Ramadan is expected to start on March 1, 2025, but the exact start date will be confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee. If Ramadan begins on March 1, it will end on March 29 or 30. The exact timing depends on the phases of the moon.

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When the waning crescent is spotted by UAE astronomers, it will signal the final night of Ramadan and the start of Eid Al Fitr 2025, marking the next public holiday in the UAE.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a time when Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking between sunrise and sunset. Non-Muslims are also expected to respect the fasting practices in public. Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims typically perform additional Tarawih prayers throughout the month. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and the month is observed for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth.

The Islamic calendar relies on moon phases, with months either being 29 or 30 days long. The sighting of a new moon marks the beginning of a new month. In the UAE, the moon-sighting committee will search for the new crescent moon after maghrib prayers on the 29th day of the month of Shaban, the month preceding Ramadan.

UAE Working Hours During Ramadan

In the UAE, private sector workers are typically required to work 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week. However, during Ramadan, working hours are reduced by 2 hours every day. The UAE Labour Law mandates that working hours be reduced by two hours for all employees, regardless of their religion or whether they are fasting.

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) announced last year a reduction of two working hours per day for private sector employees during Ramadan. “In accordance with the requirements and nature of their work, companies may apply flexible or remote work patterns within the limits of the daily working hours during Ramadan,” the Ministry said.

For public sector employees, official working hours for ministries and federal agencies are usually from 9 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, the working hours are from 9 AM to 12 PM. Last year, the Sharjah Human Resources Department also announced that official working hours for government entities in the emirate would be from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM.

UAE School Hours During Ramadan

Official announcements about school hours during Ramadan 2025 in the UAE have not been made yet, but they are expected to follow the same schedule as last year.

In 2024, Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) mandated that private schools operate for a maximum of five hours per day during Ramadan, with classes ending by 12 PM on Fridays.

Public Transport Adjustments During Ramadan

Dubai’s public transport systems, including the Dubai Metro and buses, will adjust their operating hours to accommodate late-night travel for Iftar and Taraweeh prayers. These adjustments are designed to provide convenient travel options for residents during Ramadan.

Dubai Metro: The Dubai Metro will operate until midnight or later during Ramadan, ensuring seamless travel for those attending evening prayers and gatherings. Trains may run more frequently during peak hours to accommodate higher ridership, especially after Iftar.
Buses: Bus schedules will be adjusted to align with Iftar and Suhoor timings. Some bus routes will extend their operating hours to cater to the increased demand during Ramadan evenings, allowing for convenient travel to mosques and community events.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services: Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Careem will increase their availability, with more vehicles on the road during Iftar and late-night hours to support travelers.

These changes are aimed at ensuring affordable and convenient travel for residents during the holy month.

Paid Parking During Ramadan

One of the key adjustments during Ramadan is the change in parking timings and Salik toll rates in Dubai. To accommodate the unique rhythm of Ramadan, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) adjusts parking timings and toll rates.

Typically, paid parking in Dubai operates from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM across most zones. During Ramadan, the first shift will begin at 8:00 AM and end at 6:00 PM. The second shift will start at 8:00 PM and end at 10:00 PM, with free parking available between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, aligning with Iftar.

Multi-storey parking facilities will operate 24/7, with standard charges applied at all times, even during Ramadan. These facilities offer a convenient option for those who need parking outside the adjusted timings.

If Ramadan lasts for 30 days, day 30 will be considered an official holiday in addition to the Eid Al Fitr holiday. This legislation, which was published in the official gazette on May 15, 2024, came into effect on January 1, 2025.

Additionally, the Cabinet may transfer any public holiday to the beginning or end of the week, and local governments may declare other holidays for their departments based on special occasions or other reasons.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.