UAE Ramadan Schedule 2026 | Sehri, Iftar & Prayers

Ramadan is one of the most important months of Muslims worldwide, and to the people living in the UAE, it is a period of worship, prayer, self-reflection, and socializing. Ramadan is all about not eating or drinking, not eating until daylight and not eating until evening, and taking the five times a day prayers. Precise times of Sehri (pre-dawn meal), Iftar (meal to break the fast), and prayers are imperative in preserving both the spiritual and physical health of fasting Muslims. Our article will focus on the Ramadan times of the year 2026 in the UAE, tips, traditions, as well as the best practices to enjoy a satisfying Ramadan experience.

Overview of Ramadan in UAE (2026)

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is very important to Islam. This month is celebrated by Muslims worldwide through fasting every day until the evening and doing more worship practices which include reading the Quran, praying (Taraweeh), and also doing more charity.

Ramadan is a popular event in the UAE that comes along with different traditions and customs. The UAE government and Islamic bodies are more important in offering accurate Sehri, Iftar, and prayer times. Depending on the moon sighting, Ramadan 2026 will start on Thursday, March 26, 2026, and will take 29-30 days.

Sehri Timing: The Pre-Dawn Meal

Sehri is the breakfast meal that is taken to keep the fasting person alive during the day. The first prayer of the day is Fajr, and it is taken before Sehri. The times of Sehri in the UAE are different according to the location and the time of the year. The final meal before dawn is significant in that it helps in keeping the body fed during the long hours of starving.

The Sehri will start at approximately 4:30 AM and finish just prior to the Fajr prayer in 2026. It is advisable to take a balanced meal with a lot of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats so that you may feel fuller. It is also important to be hydrated and thus it is recommended to consume a lot of water during Sehri.

Foods that are taken in UAE as Sehri are:

• Dates

• Yogurt and fresh fruits

• Whole grain bread or oatmeal

• Eggs and lean proteins

• Extra hydration: smoothies or milk.

Timing of Iftar: Breaking the Fast

The breaking of the fast is called Iftar, which follows the period of not eating and drinking during the whole day. It is a mandatory aspect of Ramadan, which enables Muslims to feed their bodies following the day of fasting. The Iftar schedule is pegged on the Maghrib prayer, which takes place immediately after the setting of the sun.

The UAE observes around 6:45 PM to 7:00 PM as the first few days of Ramadan, and as the month goes through, the time will shift to later because of the variation in the time of sunset. Iftar is also traditionally served with dates and water, after which a bigger meal is served.

Popular items at the Iftar in the UAE are:

• Dates and water

• Lentil soup

• Chicken, lamb, or beef dishes

• Hummus and pita bread

• Vegetables are roasted and fresh salads.

• Sweets such as kunafa or qatayef.

Timings of Prayer in UAE during Ramadan

Muslims do not only perform 5 prayers a day, but another prayer should be done on the night after Isha Tarawih. Prayer times in the UAE also differ according to the city and day and are also changed annually in regard to the Islamic calendar. These prayers are an indispensable component of the day, with spiritual food being supplemented by physical starvation.

The five daily prayers are:

• Fajr: Before dawn.

• Dhuhr: Midday when the sun is above its peak.

• Asr: Afternoon.

• Maghrib: Right after sunset.

• Isha: Night.

Tarawih:

Tarawih prayers are conducted after the Isha prayer in the month of Ramadan, which is normally conducted in groups in the mosques.

The Calculation of Timings in UAE

Sehri, Iftar, and prayer timings in the UAE are computed with the help of the exact astronomical records depending on the direction of the sun and the geographical location. The mosques and Islamic centers in the area announce the prayers, and meal timings, and the Fajr and Maghrib prayers are considered to know the time of the start and finish of fasting.

As an example, Sehri starts at the Fajr time when the first light of a day sets in and Iftar starts at the Maghrib time when the sun goes down. There are more advanced tools and applications that can provide you with accurate timings and, therefore, you will not miss important moments, and you can plan your fast and prayers.

Guidelines on Adhering to Timings during Ramadan

To achieve the best experience with your Ramadan fasting experience, the following tips should be taken into consideration when observing the Sehri, Iftar, and prayer times:

• Set several alarms: You can forget about Sehri or Iftar anywhere. Have alarms to keep up with every timing.

• Use apps: Have a good app like Muslim Pro or iPray that will keep you informed about all the correct timings.

• Change the sleeping schedule: You are likely to have altered the sleep cycle in the course of Ramadan because of the late-night prayers. Get a good rest by taking naps throughout the day.

• Hydrate: Drink as much water as you can during Sehri and Iftar to make yourself hydrated throughout the day.

• Eat a balanced meal: Select a combination of proteins, carbs, and fiber in your meals to keep the levels of energy stable.

Difficulties of Ramadan Timings in UAE

The difference in times of the sunset and sunrise may cause inconveniences in the time of Ramadan. As an illustration, the duration of fasting hours in the UAE is even longer because the days there are not short in summer they regularly can reach 15 hours. The following are some of the pitfalls to deal with:

• Balancing between work and school: It is the way that many people manage their schedules to find time to have prayers and meals.

• High temperatures: The hot climate may cause dehydration hence pay attention to the amount of fluid you are consuming.

• Sleep deprivation: Late night Taraweeh prayers and early mornings to eat Sehri may result in sleep deprivation, which may impact daytime productivity.

Ramadan Community and Religious Practices

Ramadan is not merely a fast, it is communal and a prayer. Mosques in UAE have a significant role in offering community places to pray and Iftar tables. Family and neighboring groups usually sit down to joint meals and prayers creating the feeling of solidarity and benevolence.

Mosques also provide a free Iftar meal to the needy people and everyone is allowed to partake with those in need of Iftar meal, irrespective of their financial abilities. Another aspect of Ramadan is the Zakat (charitable giving) in which most individuals contribute to help the needy.

Conclusion

Ramadan in UAE is a very religious period and the strict time of Sehri, Iftar, and praying are required to observe fast appropriately. You may help make fasting a success and follow the timetable of Ramadan, be hydrated, and have a balanced diet. You can be in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah but this blessed month can be made more productive by paying attention to the times and having a healthy routine that will make this month special.

FAQ’s

When does the Ramadan 2026 Sehri break in the UAE?

Sehri ceases at Fajr period, which in Dubai is approximately 4:40 AM.

What time does the UAE break their fast during Ramadan 2026?

Iftar is set to be around 6:45 PM although it will also differ depending on the time of the sunset.

What is the length of the fasting season in the UAE during Ramadan?

The duration of fasting may go up to 15 hours according to the season and the place.

What is Tarawih?

Another prayer that is done at night is Tarawih, which is done after Isha during Ramadan.

What is the meaning of Sehri?

Pre-dawn meal is called as Sehri and is taken before Fajr prayer, which gives energy and water to the fast.

Is it possible to use a phone application to check the prayer times?

Indeed, we have many apps, like Muslim Pro, that can give the correct prayer and meal times.

Which foods are the most suitable to consume during Sehri?

The best foods such as oats, dates, yogurt, eggs, and whole grains can be used to maintain energy right after the day.

Is sleeping after Iftar permissible?

Although it is all right to have a bit of sleep, one should be able to stick to a regular sleep schedule so as not to get tired.

At what time does the Tarawih prayer begin in the UAE?

Prayers at night commence at the end of the Isha prayer, which is approximately 8:00 PM.

What will I do when I need to work and fast during Ramadan?

Make time to pray and take rest and think of rescheduling work hours in case you can manage fasting.