Breaking news

Ramadan 2025 In The UAE: Unwrapping Sacred Traditions And Modern Customs

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 27, 2025

Ramadan 2025 is set to begin on Saturday, March 1—a time when the UAE and millions of Muslims worldwide will pause to reflect, fast, and reconnect with their spiritual roots. This holy month, marking the Quran’s revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) transforms daily life into a rhythm of prayer, charity, and mindful self-discipline.

Key Dates And Rituals

Ramadan’s exact start will be confirmed by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee, but if March 1 holds, the fast will continue until the crescent’s reappearance signals Eid Al Fitr on either March 29 or 30. Eid, the festive culmination of Ramadan, ushers in a time of joyous reunions with family and friends and marks the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. Remember, unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic lunar cycle advances roughly 11 days each year, shifting these significant dates annually.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Daily Practices And Cultural Significance

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and smoking from dawn until sunset, channeling their energy into extra prayers—most notably, the tarawih—and acts of kindness. As dusk falls, the fast is broken with iftar, traditionally starting with dates and water, followed by an elaborate meal that brings communities together. In some regions, antique cannons once signaled the end of the day’s fast—a practice that echoes through history even as modern rituals take shape.

A unique facet of Ramadan is the role of the masaharati, a traditional dawn caller who would wander the streets with a flute or drums to wake people for the pre-dawn meal, a practice that still survives in parts of the Arab world.

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

Charity And Social Responsibility

Central to Ramadan is zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory charitable donation that every self-supporting Muslim must pay before the Eid prayer. This act of giving ensures that those in need can partake in the celebrations, reinforcing the month’s core values of compassion and communal support.

Guidelines For Visitors

If you’re visiting the UAE during Ramadan, it’s important to be culturally aware. While non-Muslims are not required to fast, respecting local customs is key. Public consumption of food, drink, or smoking is frowned upon during daylight hours. Many establishments adjust their hours, and designated areas might be available for non-fasting guests. When invited to an iftar or visiting a mosque, modest attire and greetings like “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem” are appreciated gestures of respect.

As Ramadan 2025 approaches, these traditions and practices offer a window into the rich cultural and spiritual tapestry of the UAE. Whether you’re a participant or an observer, understanding these customs can enrich your experience during this sacred time.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Moonshot’s Kimi K2: A Disruptive, Open-Source AI Model Redefining Coding Efficiency

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 14, 2025

Innovative Approach to Open-Source AI

In a bold move that challenges established players like OpenAI and Anthropic, Alibaba-backed startup Moonshot has unveiled its latest generative artificial intelligence model, Kimi K2. Released on a late Friday evening, this model enters the competitive AI landscape with a focus on robust coding capabilities at a fraction of the cost, setting a new benchmark for efficiency and scalability.

Cost Efficiency and Market Disruption

Kimi K2 not only offers superior performance metrics — reportedly surpassing Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4 and OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 in coding tasks — but it also redefines pricing models in the industry. With fees as low as 15 cents per 1 million input tokens and $2.50 per 1 million output tokens, it stands in stark contrast to competitors who charge significantly more. This cost efficiency is expected to attract large-scale and budget-sensitive deployments, enhancing its appeal across diverse client segments.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Benchmarking Against Industry Leaders

Moonshot’s announcement on platforms such as GitHub and X emphasizes not only the competitive performance of Kimi K2 but also its commitment to the open-source model—rare among U.S. tech giants except for select initiatives by Meta and Google. Renowned analyst Wei Sun from Counterpoint highlighted its global competitiveness and open-source allure, noting that its lower token costs make it an attractive option for enterprises seeking both high performance and scalability.

Industry Implications and the Broader AI Landscape

The introduction of Kimi K2 comes at a time when Chinese alternatives in the global AI arena are garnering increased investor interest. With established players like ByteDance, Tencent, and Baidu continually innovating, Moonshot’s move underscores a significant shift in AI development—a focus on cost reduction paired with open accessibility. Moreover, as U.S. companies grapple with resource allocation and the safe deployment of open-source models, Kimi K2’s arrival signals a competitive pivot that may influence future industry standards.

Future Prospects Amidst Global AI Competition

While early feedback on Kimi K2 has been largely positive, with praise from industry insiders and tech startups alike, challenges such as model hallucinations remain a known issue in generative AI. However, the model’s robust coding capability and cost structure continue to drive industry optimism. As the market evolves, the competitive dynamics between new entrants like Moonshot and established giants like OpenAI, along with emerging competitors on both sides of the Pacific, promise to shape the future trajectory of AI innovation on a global scale.