Dubai’s Emirates to begin Ramadan menu

Dubai carrier Emirates is set to begin its special Ramadan service for customers fasting during the holy month.

The airline said it expected to offer specially crafted iftar meals, dates and water along with entertainment programmes for those breaking their fast from May 17.

The iftar boxes have been designed by homeware specialists Silsal Design House and include cuscous salad and grilled chicken or moudardara and roasted chicken, sandwiches, spinach fatayer or tomato and onion fatayer, assorted sweets, dates, laban and water, according to the announcement.

Emirates said the menu would be refreshed mid-Ramadan.

The boxes, which can be taken away by customers, will be available to passengers across economy, business and first class on select flights coinciding with iftar times.

Read: Ramadan FAQ: Everything you need to know about the holy month

These include those too and from the Gulf and catering to Umrah groups travelling to Jeddah and Madinah.

On flights from Dubai to Jeddah and Madinah cold meals will be served.

Emirates said it would operate a unique tool, using the aircraft’s longitude, latitude and altitude, to calculate correct timings for imsak, the start of fasting, and iftar while inflight.

On top of these services, date boxes and water will be provided at gates to allow customers to break their fast prior to boarding at Dubai International’s Terminal 3 and other select destinations.

The carrier’s lounges will also provide dedicated prayer rooms and serve Arabic coffee, dates and sweets.

At the end of Ramadan, around June 14-17 , the carrier is planning a special Eid service for the first time and will provide Eid cookies and chocolates to customers.

Those in first class will have access to special Eid edition Lakrids candy.

The UAE’s moon sighting committee is set to meet after prayers this evening to determine the start of Ramadan.

Read: UAE orders formation of Ramadan moon sighting committee

Should the moon crescent be spotted on Tuesday, it will mean Wednesday is the first day of the holy month

This is because the Gulf countries decide the beginning of Ramadan based on the Islamic calendar, which is linked to the moon’s 29 and a half-day monthly cycle.

Islamic months can be 29 or 30 days based on the appearance of the moon crescent at night.

Oman was the first country in the Gulf to announce when it will mark the beginning of Ramadan.

The sultanate’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs said last Monday that the holy month would fall on Thursday, May 17 due to concerns the moon would not be visible nationwide on Tuesday evening the next week.

Read: Oman announces Ramadan start date

Astronomers in Kuwait and Sharjah have also indicated May 17 will be the likely start date for the month of Ramadan.

In March, Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences said Ramadan would fall on May 17 with Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of the month, expected on June 15.

Read: Ramadan likely to begin on May 17