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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.

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Assessing The Divergent Energy Futures: The European Union Versus Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 10, 2026

European Electricity Transition: A Bold New Horizon

A recent report, European Electricity Review 2026, published by Think Tank Ember, highlights a stark disparity between the energy strategies of the European Union and Cyprus. While the EU is rapidly advancing its renewable energy agenda, underpinned by an aggressive shift away from fossil fuels, Cyprus remains reliant on an increasingly costly and pollutant electricity system dominated by conventional fossil fuel sources.

European Union Electricity Mix 2025

The EU’s electricity landscape continues to shift toward renewables at a notable pace. Wind and solar energy now play a central role in the bloc’s power generation, gradually overtaking fossil fuels.

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According to projections for 2025, wind contributes 16.9% of electricity production and solar 13.2%, bringing their combined share to 30.1%, slightly ahead of fossil fuels at 29%. Hydropower remains significant at 17.6%, although drought conditions have constrained its output in several regions. In total, renewable sources account for 47.7% of the EU electricity mix, marking a historic milestone in the region’s green transition. Nuclear energy remains stable at around 23%, continuing to provide a consistent base load.

Technology/Source	Percentage (%)	Observations
Wind	16.9	Steady increase since 2015
Solar	13.2	Rapid development in recent years
Wind + Solar	30.1	Surpassed fossil fuels (29%)
Hydroelectric	17.6	Impacted by drought
Total Renewables	47.7	Driving the green transition
Coal	9.2	Marked decrease, nearing obsolescence
Natural Gas	16.7	Gradual decline, with a spike in 2025 due to reduced hydroelectric output
Other Fossil Fuels	3.1	Gradual decrease
Total Fossils	29.0	Substantial reduction
Nuclear	23.3	Maintained at steady levels

Cyprus’ Energy Conundrum In 2025

Cyprus presents a very different picture. Approximately 74% of its electricity generation still comes from oil and heavy fuel oil through traditional thermal units. Although the country has achieved strong photovoltaic growth, reaching 21% solar penetration, this progress is limited by insufficient grid modernization and the lack of large-scale storage capacity.

Despite being among EU leaders in solar installations for each person, Cyprus faces curtailment issues where excess renewable energy cannot be absorbed by the grid. Estimates suggest that up to 22% of renewable generation is occasionally curtailed, representing roughly 6–7% of annual electricity demand.

Energy Source	Percentage (%)	Observations
Oil/Heavy Fuel Oil	74	Dominant conventional thermal units
Solar	21	Robust photovoltaic growth without supportive storage
Wind	4	Minimal contribution
Other Renewables (Biomass)	1	Limited deployment
Total Renewables	26	A modest increase with potential for further expansion

Consequences For Electricity Pricing

The inefficiencies in managing renewable integration and the persisting reliance on fossil fuels have had a direct impact on electricity prices in Cyprus. Although temporary measures, such as a 10% VAT reduction through 2027, have been implemented, the cost per kilowatt-hour for 2025 is forecast at 31 cents —significantly above the EU average of 24.6 cents. This pricing imbalance erodes consumer purchasing power and undermines the competitiveness of the local economy.

Strategic Recommendations For Reform

A decisive recalibration of Cyprus’ electricity sector is essential to bridge the gap with its European counterparts. Key strategic recommendations include:

Establishment Of An Independent Coordination Authority: Create an autonomous body dedicated to aligning the efforts of relevant agencies to reduce electricity costs and secure a reliable energy supply.
Development Of A Long-Term Electric Generation Strategy: Formulate a strategic plan that balances the rational expansion of renewable energy with conventional sources, incorporating integrated energy storage solutions and robust system management protocols.
Prioritization Of Centralized Energy Storage And Grid Adaptation: Emphasize the need for centralized energy storage facilities and the reinforcement of distribution networks to stabilize the supply and effectively absorb surplus renewable generation.

Conclusion

Cyprus stands at a critical crossroads. To achieve affordable electricity and remain competitive, decisive reform and strategic investment in renewable infrastructure are imperative. Failure to act could exacerbate both economic and social challenges, further distancing Cyprus from the progressive energy blueprint exemplified by the European Union.