Ramadan in Qatar: Complete Rules & Guide for Expats 2026
Ramadan in Qatar is unlike anything most expats have experienced before arriving here. I’ve been through multiple Ramadans in Qatar and my honest assessment is this: your first Ramadan will probably be your most disorienting, your second will be your most interesting, and by your third you’ll wonder how you ever thought of it as an inconvenience rather than one of the most culturally rich months of the year.
That progression doesn’t happen automatically. It happens when you understand what Ramadan actually is, what the rules genuinely require of non-Muslims, what they don’t require, and how to engage with the month in a way that enriches rather than merely interrupts your life in Qatar.
This guide covers everything that matters practically: the legal rules that apply to everyone regardless of religion, working hours and how they change, what you can and cannot do in public, how businesses and services are affected, the best aspects of Ramadan that most expats miss, and the specific things that trip people up every year despite being entirely avoidable with the right knowledge.
When is Ramadan in 2026? Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around February 17-18, 2026, subject to moon sighting confirmation. It lasts 29 or 30 days, ending with Eid Al Fitr around March 18-19, 2026. The exact dates shift approximately 10-11 days earlier each year because the Islamic calendar is lunar. In 2026, Ramadan falls in the relatively cooler months of February-March, making it more manageable than Ramadans that fall in Qatar’s brutal summer heat.
What Ramadan Is: The Foundation
Understanding Ramadan properly changes how you experience it as a non-Muslim expat. It’s not primarily a month of restrictions from an outsider’s perspective. It is Islam’s holiest month, during which Muslims fast from before sunrise (Fajr prayer) to sunset (Maghrib prayer), abstaining from food, water, smoking, and sexual relations during daylight hours, alongside increased prayer, Quran recitation, charity, and spiritual reflection.
The fast is one of Islam’s Five Pillars. For Qatar’s Muslim population, which includes virtually all Qatari nationals and a significant proportion of the expatriate workforce, Ramadan is the most spiritually significant month of the year. The social atmosphere shifts: evenings come alive with iftar gatherings, family visits, and community prayers. The pace of days slows. The sense of shared experience across the Muslim community is palpable and genuinely moving once you attune to it.
For non-Muslim expats, Ramadan requires some behavioral adjustments in public and at work, but it also offers one of the richest cultural immersion opportunities available in Qatar if you approach it with openness rather than inconvenience-avoidance.
The Legal Rules: What Is Actually Required
Qatar’s law on Ramadan observance applies to everyone within the country regardless of religion. These are not social suggestions; they are enforceable regulations that can result in fines and in serious cases detention or deportation.
The core legal requirement: Under Qatar’s Penal Code, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan is illegal. This applies to non-Muslims as well as Muslims. “Public” means any space visible to others: streets, parking lots, public transport, shopping mall common areas, offices with open doors, your car parked or in traffic, and any outdoor space.
What “daylight hours” means: The restriction runs from the Fajr (dawn) prayer to the Maghrib (sunset) prayer. In Qatar in February-March 2026, Fajr is approximately 4:30-5:00 AM and Maghrib is approximately 5:45-6:15 PM. These times shift slightly throughout the month as sunset moves later. Prayer times are published daily by Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and are displayed on apps like Prayer Times Qatar and on most news websites.
What is permitted: Eating, drinking, and smoking inside private residences, in closed offices, in restaurant interiors that are screened from public view (most restaurants covering windows or setting up barriers during Ramadan), in designated areas, and in hotel restaurants. Non-Muslim expats are not required to fast and can eat and drink normally in these private settings.
The grey area: cars in traffic: Eating or drinking in a car that is moving through public streets is technically within the prohibition. In practice, I’ve seen people drink water in cars during Ramadan without incident, but this is legally risky and visibly disrespectful. It’s not worth the risk and it’s not respectful.
Dress code tightening: While Qatar always expects modest dress in public, Ramadan tightens this expectation. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issues reminders each Ramadan asking both residents and visitors to dress modestly out of respect for the holy month. This means covered shoulders, covered knees, and avoiding tight or revealing clothing in public spaces. The requirement to dress modestly is always present in Qatar; during Ramadan the social and sometimes legal enforcement is more pronounced.
Music and loud noise: Playing loud music in public is particularly frowned upon during Ramadan and can draw official attention. In your car, keep music at a low volume or silent. In your residence, be mindful of volume. Qatar’s municipalities sometimes enforce noise restrictions more actively during Ramadan.
Dancing and public entertainment: Public dancing, loud celebrations, and entertainment performances in open public spaces are restricted during Ramadan daytime hours. Indoor venues with appropriate licensing continue to operate but with adjusted hours and sometimes without live music or entertainment during daytime.
Working Hours During Ramadan
Qatar law mandates a reduction in working hours during Ramadan for all employees, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. The standard reduction is two hours per day from normal working hours.
Legal framework: Qatar Labor Law Article 73 specifies that during Ramadan, working hours shall not exceed six hours per day or thirty-six hours per week. For organizations normally working eight hours per day, this means a two-hour daily reduction. Government entities strictly enforce this. Private sector compliance varies but is generally good in formal organizations.
Typical Ramadan working hours in practice:
| Sector | Normal Hours | Ramadan Hours (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Government ministries | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Semi-government entities | 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Private sector (corporate) | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Retail (malls) | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM / 7:00 PM – midnight |
| Restaurants | Various | Closed daytime / Open from iftar |
| Banks | 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
The shift to morning-heavy hours means that if you need to accomplish anything that requires interaction with government offices, banks, or other time-sensitive services, mornings are your window. By early afternoon during Ramadan, many public-facing services are winding down.
Productivity reality: Be honest in your work planning about Ramadan productivity. Fasting colleagues, particularly in the second and third weeks of Ramadan when physical fatigue accumulates, have less sustained energy for extended concentration work. Meetings in the last hour before iftar are often the least productive meetings of the month. If you’re a non-Muslim manager, scheduling intensive work sessions or expecting full-speed output in the final hour before iftar is both unrealistic and inconsiderate.
Night shift productivity: The inverse is also true. Many Muslim professionals experience a second wind after iftar and taraweeh prayers, and work late into the evening during Ramadan. The professional rhythm of the month is genuinely nocturnal in ways that don’t apply to the rest of the year.
How Businesses and Services Are Affected
Understanding how Qatar’s service landscape changes during Ramadan prevents a lot of frustration.
Restaurants and cafes: Most restaurants in Qatar close entirely during daytime hours in Ramadan. This includes both standalone restaurants and most mall food court outlets. Some restaurants open briefly in the late morning for a few hours, then close and reopen from around 45 minutes before iftar for the evening service.
Hotel restaurants are the primary exception: most hotel restaurants remain open during daytime hours for non-fasting guests, typically screened from public view with curtains or partitions. If you need to eat lunch during Ramadan, hotel restaurants are your most reliable option.
Delivery services (Talabat, Careem Food) continue to operate, often with adjusted hours. Food delivery to your home or closed office space during the day is generally fine throughout Ramadan.
Shops and malls: Retail hours shift significantly. Malls typically open late morning, close around 1:00-2:00 PM, reopen around 7:00-8:00 PM (after iftar), and stay open until midnight or later. The post-iftar evening hours are when Doha’s retail, dining, and social scene comes fully alive during Ramadan. The atmosphere in malls and Souq Waqif after iftar during Ramadan is genuinely special: crowds, families out late, the energy of a community celebration.
Supermarkets: Major supermarkets (LuLu, Carrefour, Al Meera) generally maintain more continuous hours than restaurants but with adjustments. Expect reduced hours during the day and extended evening hours. Stock availability can be challenging in the days immediately before Ramadan as people stock up for iftar preparation. For the full picture on Doha’s grocery landscape, see our supermarket guide.
Government services: Government offices, ministries, and public service counters operate on reduced Ramadan hours, typically 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If you have any administrative processes (visa renewals, QID matters, driving license applications) that can be completed before Ramadan starts, do them then. Ramadan is a poor time to initiate time-sensitive government processes. For QID and residency permit processes, see our QID guide.
Banks: Banks operate reduced hours during Ramadan, typically 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for branches. ATMs operate normally. Online and mobile banking are unaffected. Plan any branch-dependent banking for morning hours.
Healthcare: PHCC clinics and HMC hospitals maintain emergency services throughout Ramadan. Routine appointment availability may be reduced, particularly in the afternoons. If you need a medical appointment during Ramadan, book early in the morning. For urgent healthcare, facilities operate normally. For a full guide to Qatar’s healthcare system, see our healthcare guide.
Schools: International schools typically continue normal operations during Ramadan, though some adjust activity levels for Muslim students who are fasting. School canteens may operate on reduced hours or require students to eat in designated areas rather than openly. Check your child’s school’s specific Ramadan policy.
Iftar: The Sunset Meal and Its Social Significance
Iftar, the meal breaking the fast at sunset, is the most important daily event of Ramadan and one of Qatar’s most culturally rich social occasions. For expats, iftar represents one of the best opportunities to engage meaningfully with Qatari culture.
The iftar moment: When the Maghrib adhan (call to prayer) sounds at sunset, Muslims break their fast, traditionally beginning with dates and water as the Prophet Mohammed prescribed. The moment of the adhan is genuinely moving to witness: a city that has been fasting all day stops simultaneously and begins eating.
Iftar in Qatar: Qatar’s iftar culture is lavish. Hotels set up massive iftar tents in their grounds and public areas offering all-you-can-eat spreads of traditional Arabic food, juices, sweets, and regional specialties. These hotel iftar tents are among the most popular dining experiences in Qatar during Ramadan. Pricing ranges from approximately QR 120-350 per person depending on the hotel’s positioning.
Prominent iftar tent venues in Doha include the Sheraton Grand, Marriott Marquis, St. Regis, W Doha, and similar five-star hotels. Souq Waqif transforms during Ramadan with extended restaurant operations from iftar onwards, creating one of the most atmospheric dining environments in the Gulf during this period.
Corporate iftar events: Many organizations host corporate iftar events for employees and clients during Ramadan. These are significant relationship-building occasions. If you’re invited to a corporate iftar, attending is strongly recommended. Dress smartly, arrive on time for the adhan, participate in the breaking of the fast with the group (dates and water are always offered first), and engage with the occasion as the meaningful social event it is rather than as a free dinner.
Being invited to a Qatari home for iftar: If a Qatari colleague invites you to their home for iftar, this is a significant gesture of trust and welcome. Accept if at all possible. Bring a gift (sweets, chocolates, dates, or flowers are appropriate). Dress conservatively. Be prepared for a very substantial meal spread across multiple courses and served with Qatari hospitality that will feel overwhelming in the best way. Thank your host warmly. This experience is irreplaceable for understanding Qatari culture authentically.
Suhoor: Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal eaten by Muslims before the fast begins. Suhoor restaurants and hotel tent setups operate from midnight until approximately 3:30-4:00 AM during Ramadan. The late-night suhoor scene in Qatar is a lively social occasion. Souq Waqif in particular is busy until well past midnight with families and friends eating suhoor together. Non-Muslims can participate in suhoor dining fully.
Taraweeh Prayers: What to Know
Taraweeh are the special nightly prayers performed during Ramadan after the Isha (night) prayer. They are extended prayer sessions lasting 60-90 minutes at most mosques, during which a portion of the Quran is recited. The sounds of taraweeh from mosques are one of Ramadan’s most distinctive nighttime features.
For non-Muslim expats, taraweeh is not something you participate in but you will hear it from mosques near your residence. The sound carries significantly in Qatar’s urban environment. If your apartment is near a mosque, expect to hear the microphone-amplified prayers from approximately 8:30-10:00 PM most nights of Ramadan.
This is not a noise complaint situation. It is the religious observance of your community. Most expats who’ve been through multiple Ramadans in Qatar describe the taraweeh sounds as one of the things they genuinely miss when they leave.
The Social Atmosphere: What Ramadan Actually Feels Like
Beyond the rules and adjustments, Ramadan has an atmosphere that is distinctive and worth experiencing consciously.
Daytime: Qatar’s daytime during Ramadan is quieter, slower, and more reflective than normal. Traffic is lighter in the mornings (later working hours mean later departures). The streets are less busy. There’s a different kind of quiet that settles over the city, particularly in residential areas, during the fasting hours.
From iftar onwards: Everything inverts after the adhan. Qatar comes fully alive in the evenings during Ramadan in a way that has no equivalent in any other month. Families are out late. Restaurants are full. Malls are crowded until midnight. Souq Waqif is packed with people strolling, eating, and socializing until 2:00 AM or later. Children are up with their parents until remarkably late by Western standards because school starts later and the family social occasions extend deep into the night.
The generosity of Ramadan is also visible and genuine. Qatar’s culture of charity intensifies during Ramadan. Zakat (obligatory charity) and sadaqah (voluntary charity) flow more during this month than any other. Food distribution initiatives for lower-income workers, charity iftars for laborers, and individual acts of generosity are conspicuous throughout the month.
For expat social life: The daytime restriction on public eating effectively pauses the coffee shop and lunch culture that occupies expat social life the rest of the year. This shifts social life to the evenings, where it becomes richer and more varied than usual. Embrace the evening orientation rather than mourning the daytime one.
Practical Tips: Making Ramadan Work For You
Prepare before Ramadan starts: Stock your home with adequate food and drink so you’re not dependent on finding open restaurants during the day. Know which hotel restaurants near your office or home stay open for lunch. Download prayer time apps so you know exactly when iftar is each day (useful for planning your evening and for knowing when eating restrictions begin at Fajr).
Plan your working schedule: Front-load important work and key meetings to the morning. Don’t schedule significant decisions or high-concentration work for the late afternoon when fasting colleagues are tired. Build extra timeline into any project that requires approvals or collaboration during Ramadan.
Experience iftar intentionally: Don’t spend Ramadan eating delivered food in your apartment every evening. Choose at least a few hotel iftar tents, visit Souq Waqif in the evenings, and if a Qatari or Muslim colleague offers an iftar invitation, accept it. These experiences are what the month has to offer you as an expat and they’re genuinely memorable.
Adjust your commute: If you work standard hours, your commute during Ramadan changes character. Morning commutes are lighter because many people start later. The pre-iftar period (approximately 4:30-5:30 PM) can see a rush of people heading home to break the fast. The post-iftar period sees significant social traffic on the roads. Plan accordingly.
Be genuinely respectful, not performatively respectful: Ramadan respect doesn’t mean being uncomfortable or apologetic about being non-Muslim. It means not eating, drinking, or smoking in public, dressing modestly, keeping music low, and engaging with the month’s culture with genuine interest. Non-Muslims are not required to fast, to pray, or to perform any religious observance. The respectful behavior required is behavioral, not spiritual.
Use the evenings: The Ramadan evening atmosphere in Qatar is one of the genuine pleasures of living here. Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, The Pearl waterfront, and the various hotel tent setups all create an atmosphere during Ramadan evenings that is warmer, more communal, and more distinctively Qatari than most times of year. Get out and experience it rather than staying home.
Eid Al Fitr: The End of Ramadan
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with three to five days of public holiday (exact days announced by the government, usually three to four days officially, sometimes more). In 2026, Eid Al Fitr is expected around March 18-20, subject to moon sighting.
Eid greetings: The appropriate greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid Saeed” (Happy Eid). Using these greetings with Muslim colleagues is warmly received and appreciated. The greeting can be given in person, by WhatsApp, or by message.
The Eid atmosphere: Eid morning begins with the Eid prayer, typically held in mosques and large outdoor prayer grounds early in the morning. Families dress in new or their best clothing. Children receive money gifts (Eidiya). Family visits and gatherings fill the days of Eid. The general atmosphere is genuinely joyful.
Public holidays and staffing: Eid Al Fitr public holidays are typically three to four days. Many expat colleagues from South Asia and Southeast Asia take additional leave around Eid to visit family, meaning staffing can be reduced for up to a week around Eid. Plan project continuity accordingly.
Eid gifts: If you have Qatari or Muslim colleagues with whom you have a genuine relationship, a small Eid gift (chocolates, dates, sweets) is a thoughtful gesture that is always well-received. It’s not expected but it’s noticed positively.
Common Mistakes Expats Make During Ramadan
Eating or drinking in a parked car in a public space: This happens every year to newly arrived expats who think the car is private space. It is not. A parked car on a public street or in a mall car park is a public space for Ramadan observance purposes. Eat in your home or a screened restaurant.
Forgetting the rule applies to your office’s common areas: An open-plan office is a public-enough space that eating or drinking visibly in front of fasting colleagues is both legally ambiguous and socially inconsiderate. Use a private office, meeting room with a closed door, or your car in a private parking structure.
Scheduling important meetings or decisions in the last hour before iftar: This consistently produces poor outcomes. Fasting colleagues in the final hour before iftar have low blood sugar, reduced cognitive bandwidth, and their minds are partly on the imminent meal. Schedule anything important for mid-morning.
Not knowing when iftar is: Check the iftar time for the current day every day during Ramadan. It shifts by a minute or two daily. Knowing the exact time is useful for planning your evening, for understanding when colleagues will be breaking their fast, and for social planning.
Being visibly frustrated by Ramadan’s business disruptions: This is noticed and remembered. Visible frustration about closed restaurants, shorter working hours, or slower approvals during Ramadan registers as disrespect for the religious observance. Express scheduling concerns in professional contexts through planning rather than complaint.
Missing the experiences Ramadan offers: This is the biggest and most common mistake. Expats who spend Ramadan hunkering down and waiting for it to be over miss the month that most long-term Qatar residents describe as one of their favorite of the year. The iftar tents, the Souq Waqif evenings, the community atmosphere, and the genuine cultural immersion on offer during Ramadan are irreplaceable.
Common Problems and Solutions
Problem 1: “I can’t find anywhere to eat lunch during the day.” Hotel restaurants are your primary option. Rotana, Marriott, Sheraton, W Doha, and most four and five-star hotels maintain daytime restaurant service during Ramadan for non-fasting guests, usually with window screening. Some office towers have private cafeterias operating during Ramadan. Food delivery to your home or closed office is also available throughout the day from Talabat and Careem.
Problem 2: “My medication requires me to eat at specific times during the day.” Medical necessity is a recognized exception in Islamic jurisprudence and Qatar’s enforcement context. Carry your medication documentation (prescription or doctor’s letter) with you. Taking medication with water when medically required, done discreetly, is not something you will encounter legal issues over. If you have concerns, a letter from your doctor explaining the medical requirement is practical to carry.
Problem 3: “I’m pregnant or have a health condition that makes Ramadan restrictions difficult to navigate.” The restrictions apply to public behavior, not to your private health management. You are not required to fast. Managing your dietary needs privately (at home, in a closed room, in a hotel restaurant) is entirely appropriate. If public situations create unavoidable needs, medical documentation provides context.
Problem 4: “My project deadline is during Ramadan and I’m not getting the outputs I need.” Two-part response: for the current situation, extend the deadline if at all possible and be transparent with stakeholders that Ramadan timing is a factor. For future planning, flag Ramadan timing in any project plan and build in a two to three week reduction in expected collaborative output during the month.
Problem 5: “I was invited to an iftar and don’t know how to behave.” Arrive on time or slightly before the iftar adhan. Dress modestly and smartly. When dates and water are offered at the adhan, accept and eat one with the group even if you’re not fasting. Follow the lead of your host for seating, prayer timing, and meal sequence. Express genuine appreciation for the food and the invitation. Don’t bring alcohol as a gift. Be prepared for a long and generous meal. Say “Eid Mubarak” at the end of Ramadan.
FAQ
Do non-Muslims have to fast during Ramadan in Qatar? No. Non-Muslims are not required to fast. The behavioral requirements for non-Muslims are about public conduct: not eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours, and dressing modestly.
Can I eat in my own home during Ramadan? Yes. The restriction is on public eating and drinking. In your private residence, you can eat and drink normally at any time.
What happens if I’m caught eating in public during Ramadan? Enforcement ranges from a warning to a fine to detention in serious cases. The Qatar Penal Code provides for fines and potential imprisonment for violating Ramadan observance laws. In practice, first-time violations often result in warnings, but this is not guaranteed and the risk is not worth taking.
Can restaurants be open during the day in Ramadan? Most restaurants close during daytime hours. Hotel restaurants, some private club restaurants, and restaurants with appropriate screening typically remain open for non-fasting guests. Food delivery to private spaces continues throughout the day.
Is Ramadan a good time to visit Qatar as a tourist? It’s a complex answer. The daytime restrictions make some tourist experiences more limited. The evening atmosphere during Ramadan is genuinely special and unlike any other time. If you understand and respect the rules, Ramadan can be a fascinating time to experience Qatar. If you expect normal tourist infrastructure, you’ll be disappointed.
Can I exercise outdoors during Ramadan? Yes, with common sense. Exercising outdoors during Ramadan daylight hours is permitted for non-Muslims. Avoid carrying visible water bottles or sports drinks in public. Morning exercise before the day warms up is fine. Evening exercise after iftar is when most residents who exercise outdoors choose to do so during Ramadan.
What should I wear during Ramadan? More conservatively than usual. Covered shoulders, covered knees, and non-revealing clothing in all public spaces. The modesty requirement always exists in Qatar; during Ramadan it is more pronounced and more actively observed.
How do I know exactly when iftar is each day? Download a prayer times app (Prayer Times Qatar, Muslim Pro, or similar). Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf also publishes daily prayer times. The Maghrib (sunset) prayer time is the iftar time each day and shifts by one to two minutes daily throughout the month.
What is a good iftar to attend in Doha? Hotel iftar tents at the Sheraton Grand, W Doha, Marriott Marquis, and St. Regis are consistently well-regarded for quality and atmosphere. Souq Waqif restaurants from iftar time onwards provide the most atmospheric setting. For a more local experience, Katara Cultural Village hosts Ramadan programming including food and entertainment.
Is alcohol available during Ramadan? Qatar’s licensed venues (hotel bars and restaurants with alcohol licenses) continue to serve alcohol during Ramadan, but hours may be adjusted and some hotels choose not to serve alcohol during Ramadan as a mark of respect. The QDC on Salwa Road continues to operate during Ramadan with adjusted hours. Alcohol consumption in public or visibly is even more inappropriate during Ramadan than at other times.
Ramadan Quick Reference
| Aspect | Rule / Practical Note |
|---|---|
| Eating in public | Prohibited during daylight hours for everyone |
| Drinking in public | Prohibited during daylight hours for everyone |
| Smoking in public | Prohibited during daylight hours for everyone |
| Eating at home | Permitted at all times |
| Hotel restaurants | Open for non-fasting guests (screened) |
| Food delivery | Available throughout the day |
| Working hours | Reduced by 2 hours per day legally |
| Mall hours | Closed midday, open late evening |
| Government offices | Typically 9 AM – 2 PM |
| Dress code | More conservative than usual |
| Loud music in public | Avoid, particularly during daytime |
| Iftar greeting | “Eid Mubarak” at end of Ramadan |
| Alcohol | Licensed venues, adjusted hours |
Next Steps
- Download a prayer times app before Ramadan starts so you know the exact Fajr and Maghrib times each day
- Identify hotel restaurants near your office that stay open during the day for when you need a lunch option during Ramadan
- Book an iftar tent at one of the major hotels for at least one evening during Ramadan – these are booked up quickly, especially on weekends
- Adjust your work planning to front-load important approvals and meetings before Ramadan starts or plan for morning-only windows during the month
- Visit Souq Waqif on a Ramadan evening at least once – it’s one of Qatar’s most distinctive and memorable experiences
Last updated: February 2026.
Ramadan dates are subject to moon sighting confirmation and may shift by one day. Rules and enforcement practices are as understood in early 2026.
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