Ramadan to begin on May 6; changed timings announced for Dubai schools, parking

The holy month of Ramadan will begin on Monday, May 6 in most of the Islamic nations this year, the International Astronomical Centre has predicted.

The crescent moon would be impossible to spot with the naked eye from the East, Southeast Asia, Southern Europe and most of the Arab nations on Sunday, May 5, official news agency WAM quoted Mohamed Shawkat, the centre’s director, as saying.

The moon will only be visible with a telescope in the these regions on Sunday, he said.

Eye-sighting of the moon will also be difficult in Western and South African countries and in most of the US, while it would be relatively easier in Central America, he added.

In the UAE, the official date will be announced by the moon-sighting committee.

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is a time when Muslims across the world fast from sunrise to sunset.

REDUCED SCHOOL HOURS

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced reduced school hours in the emirate for Ramadan.

The school day during Ramadan will start between 8am and 8.30am and finish between 1pm to 1.30pm — with shorter breaks as required.

“Schools should ensure that the total hours at school per day for students do not exceed five hours,” said Mohammed Darwish, CEO of Permits and Compliance at KHDA.

“Fasting students should be exempt from physical education (PE) classes and any other demanding physical activities without influencing their grades and overall academic performance. All students must be protected from the risks of exhaustion and dehydration,” he added.

PARKING TIMINIGS

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has also revealed split parking timings. From Saturday to Thursday, fees will apply from 8am to 6pm, and from 8pm to midnight.

The timings will remain the same in Tecom-regulated zones, with fees applicable from 8am to 6pm.

Tariffs at multi-level parking lots will be applicable 24/7.

The RTA also announced change in timings of public transport modes.

Dubai Metro: Metro stations on the Red Line will operate from Saturday to Wednesday from 5am to midnight. On Thursdays, they will run from 5am to 1am (of the following day), and on Fridays from 10am to 1am (of the following day).

The metro stations on the Green Line will operate from 5.30am to midnight from Saturday to Wednesday. On Thursdays, they will run from 5.30am to 1am (of the following day), and on Fridays from 10am to 1am (of the following day).

Dubai Tram: The Dubai Tram will operate from Saturday to Thursday from 6am to 1am (of the following day), and on Fridays from 9am to 1am (of the following day).