Dubai - Ramadan

Has anyone been to dubai during the month of Ramadan?
This year it falls between 12th September - 11th October which is roughly when I was planning on travelling as both flights and hotels seem very cheap.
I know that Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours but I was wondering how it effects the average holiday maker?

Are the shops still open normal hours, food available and the general tourist trade unaffected or should I give it a miss?

-Steve

Steve,

I know there has been a topic on this, but couldn't find it when I tried searching[:I]

As far as I know, tourists are largely unaffected; food is still served at normal times in hotels and I think shops, particularly the large malls, are open as normal.

45.

I was in Dubai in Feb 2005 (I think - may be a year out there). Anyway, it fell during a Muslim festival - Can't remember which one, possibly Prophet Mohammed's Birthday. It was pretty much as usual with the exception that alcohol was not served anywhere except some 'underground' locations.
I remember shops being open at the malls.

Paul

Hotel restaurants only offer indoor daytime dining, and curtains are closed.

Also, drinking of alcohol is limited to hotel rooms during the day.

Non-muslims are asked not to play loud music and not to drink in the street.

On the other hand, it's a great time to be in a Muslim country as the evening feasting can give a great cultural insight to visitors.

We were there last year and it was fine. We even did the open top bus - the staff sold us water but we were advised to be cautious when we drank it, ie not whilst passing a built up area or through the building sites to ensure we didn't upset the locals.

With regard to the shopping centres, you cannot get a coffee or anything in starbucks but you can still buy drinks in Carrefour and just have a sneaky drink in the toilet areas to keep you going.

All the major hotels had some of their restaurants open in the daytime but they put screens around them so as not to upset people.

The nights were the best as it was a really busy atmosphere everywhere we went - not loud music or anything, just lively with lots of people around. The places stayed open later too.

I certainly wouldn't avoid going at Ramadam, just be aware of others in the daytime and don't publicly eat or drink - I did see some football shirted brits eatings bags of crisps etc and thought it was a shame that they were letting our country down with their thoughtlessness.

building sites

In other words: Dubai;)

45.

Just arrived back from Dubai & whilst out there was reading an article about taxi drivers & Ramadan. It said words to the effect of don't step out in front of taxis[?], be patient & don't irritate them as they will be hungry[:?]

I spoke with a hotel car driver last week and he says he hides sandwiches in his glove box and doesn't let on to his wife!!!

Apologies for my spelling error GJ. My typing fingers got away with me. I live 8 miles north of Birmingham and work in Birmingham City Centre in a lawyers office so I'm certainly aware of the spelling and the sensitivities around the various religious festivals, so hopefully no offence taken.

I'm not trying to be a complete and utter prat, I swear, but the name of the holiday is ramadaN

All my fault, well spotted GJ[oo] I spelt the original title of the thread wrong (all corrected now!)

-Steve