Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on February 19, subject to the sighting of the crescent moon, as reported in a lifestyle guide to the month.
As governments and employers prepare, countries and jurisdictions have laid out different rules on reduced working hours during the holy month.
Several Gulf states set clear limits, with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman allowing Muslim employees up to six hours per day or 36 hours per week.
Kuwait caps working time at 36 hours per week during Ramadan for all employees, with public sector staff generally working six hours daily.
Qatar limits work to 36 hours per week for everyone, and the Qatar Financial Centre specifically allows fasting staff shorter hours, not exceeding six hours per day.
The UAE Labour Law reduces working hours by two hours per day during Ramadan for all employees, while Dubai’s ADGM grants Muslim employees a 25 percent daily hours reduction without salary cuts.
The DIFC does not require Muslim employees to work more than six hours per day during the month, and pay remains unchanged.
Outside the Gulf, approaches vary, with Indonesia and Malaysia offering no nationwide private sector cuts but many firms and government offices adjusting schedules.
Egyptian government institutions typically run five to six hours a day during Ramadan, and Pakistani government offices usually follow five to six hour workdays.
Turkey has no official reduction, yet many companies shift hours so staff can start and finish earlier.
Rules may apply only to Muslim employees in some countries and to all staff in others, and national labour laws and employer policies determine local practice.
Muslims in Belgium are expected to begin observing Ramadan on February 18 and to conclude around March 18, according to the Hamari Website.
Television Lineup Raises Stakes Across Genres
The Ramadan 2026 drama season is shaping up as a competitive contest between established stars and new talent, with a broad mix of genres.
Amir Karara returns with Ras Al Afaa, a national thriller, while Eyad Nassar headlines Sohab Al Ard, a human story set against the war on Gaza.
Ahmed Amin brings a sequel titled El Nos El Tany, continuing last year’s comedy, and Yasser Galal offers light comedy in Kolohom Beyhebo Moody.
Karim Mahmoud Abdel Aziz appears in the family court comedy El Maitre Samir, and Mostafa Shaaban stars in Darsh, a drama about twin brothers and memory loss.
Amr Saad leads Efrag as a man fighting to reclaim his rights, and Mohamed Adel Imam stars in El King, caught by international criminal gangs.
Other entrants include Ahmed El-Awady’s boxing drama Ali Klay, Youssef El-Sharif’s Fan Al Harb, Tarek Lotfy’s Forsa Akhira, and Hamada Helal concluding Al-Maddah 6.
A fresh wave of actors also competes, with Ahmed Malek in Sawa Sawa, Essam Omar in Ein Sehreya, Salma Abu Deif in Aard W Talab, and Ahmed Ramzy in Fakhr El Delta.
Producers and writers across these projects aim for tight execution, diverse storytelling and strong first-episode impact to win viewers in a crowded Ramadan broadcast schedule.
