Talking of Ramadan attractions, there’s hardly anything more significant and looked forward to than iftar itself. And when it’s in a city as glittering and bustling as Dubai, the appeal obviously multiplies to gigantic proportions. It’s a sheer amazement how the arrival of Ramadan transforms the whole outlook of Dubai, making the city appear as a stronghold of Islamic traditions in the region and turning to the guests its new and oft veiled facet.
As the dusk draws nearer, both fasting and non-fasting Muslims and non-Muslims gravitate to hundreds of venues in the city to enjoy irresistible iftar buffet deals. As celebrated Iftar Buffets replace the daily brunches and lunches, almost all cafés and restaurants in Dubai serve special iftar buffets featuring the most toothsome of exclusive Ramadan dishes, as well as a huge variety of regional and international cuisine.
The most unique feature of Dubai’s Ramadan celebrations scene however remains the Ramadan-only Iftar Tents, a temporary arrangement where Iftar Buffet Deals are served under big and beautiful marquees specially set up for the occasion. Although most of Dubai’s food outlets serve iftar buffets, none can offer the unique feeling of togetherness and religious spirit as do the popular Iftar Tents.
Keeping in view the growing popularity of Iftar Tents in Dubai, we’re listing here some cool venues for Iftar Tents this Ramadan. If you’re in Dubai, do pay a visit to these iftar tents and let us hear about your experience via comments on this blog or live reviews on YaDig.com.
1. DIWAN AL KHAYAL TENT
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Call: 04 406 8999
2. SUHOUR AT AL MAJLIS MARQUEE
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
Call: 04 366 6038
3. AL SULTAN TENT
QD’s, Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
Call: 04 295 6000
4. AL BARZA
The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai
Call: 050 452 4558 or 050 159 3764
5. INTERCON DFC TENT
InterContinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City
Call: 04 701 1127
6. ENIGMA RAMADAN SHISHA TENT
Xennya Terrace, Holiday Inn Barsha Hotel, Dubai
Call: 050 340 5766 or 050 625 7018
7. DFC HOSPITALITY TENT
Dubai Festival Centre, Dubai
Call: 800 33232
8. LAYALINA TENT
Corp Executive Hotel Apartments, Al Barsha, Dubai
Call: 04 316 4040
9. GRAND INDOOR RAMADAN TENT
JW Marriott Dubai
Call: 04 607 7977
Yesterday we added a new ‘Claim This Place’ functionality on YaDig.com. The feature enables business owners to claim their business page that’s already present on the site, created either by us or any of our users.
Since virtually all YaDig users are able to add places and create as many business pages as they desire, business/venue owners/officials may find their business already listed on YaDig.com by others. So it was to cope with this problem and to enable owners/officials of the places to claim their business page on the site that we came up with the idea of adding new ‘Claim This Place’ functionality.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to how you can claim your business on YaDig.com using the new ‘Claim This Place’ functionality.
HOW ‘CLAIM THIS PLACE’ WORKS
Step-1:
First of all, go to the business page that you want to claim.
Step-2:
Click on the green ‘Claim This Place Today’ button now present at the top right location of the page.
Step-3:
Fill up the simple form and click on the ‘Claim This Place’ button at the bottom of the form.
As soon as you click on the ‘Claim This Place’ button, your claim request is sent to YaDig Team for review. After thorough review and verification, our team will grant you access to the business page from where you can manage your business subscription, events, deals and more. A YaDig verification stamp replaces the ‘Claim This Place’ button on the business page as soon as our team grants you access to the claimed page.
Islam’s holiest month Ramadan is just around the corner for which preparations in Dubai as well as other parts of the UAE and the Islamic world have reached their climax. As Islam is the official and predominant religion of Dubai and the entire UAE, the month of Ramadan is observed with utmost respect and effect.
So, many of you who visit Dubai for the first time in Ramadan, the city may appear as a wholly different place compared to what you’re used to seeing of Dubai. As you’ll be expected to respect the sanctity of this holy month, here are some frequently asked questions about Ramadan in Dubai to guide you how to spend Ramadan in the emirate.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the 9th and the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. During this month, people of the Muslim faith fast from dawn to dusk every day. Sighting of the new moon confirms the beginning of this holy month, not unlike other months of the Islamic lunar calendar. Throughout Ramadan, Muslims wake up before dawn to eat their early morning meal that energizes them for the whole day until dusk when they break their fast with Iftar. During the fasting hours, they are required to observe strict abstinence from any sort of food or drink whatsoever. Ramadan is a time for reflection and meditation and many Muslims spend more time at prayer during Ramadan. It is believed that fasting will teach a Muslim modesty and sympathy for those less fortunate and it is a very spiritual experience for them.
The end of Ramadan, just as its beginning, is also confirmed by the sighting of the new moon that marks Eid ul-Fitr, one of the most significant Muslim festivals involving feasting and visiting family and friends.
Are Non-Muslims Required to Observe Ramadan?
Non-Muslims are not required to follow Ramadan practices. However, as a sign of respect to the host city, they have to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking IN PUBLIC during the fasting hours i.e. from dawn to dusk.
What Happens When Someone Is Caught Eating, Drinking or Smoking in Public?
If you’re seen or reported eating, drinking or smoking in public or even while driving, you will just be given a stern warning by the police.
Are Cafés and Restaurants Close During Fasting Hours?
Most of the cafés and restaurants are closed during the day time until ready to serve iftar, although some of them have closed off areas and discretely remain open. Take-away food can be delivered during Ramadan. Restaurants in international hotels remain open throughout Ramadan to serve non-Muslims. Other restaurants keeping their service on during Ramadan for the non-fasters have secluded areas with closed curtains as a sign of respect to Muslim passersby.
Is Alcohol Available During Ramadan?
In general, alcohol is available after breaking the fast (Iftar) at sundown until 1 am. However, to keep the sanctity of the holy month intact, no loud music or live entertainment is allowed at bars and alcohol-serving restaurants.
Is There Any Special Dress Code During Ramadan?
As a sign of respect, conservative clothing is expected and appreciated. Both men and women are expected to dress more modestly during Ramadan. Any type of revealing or tight clothing should be avoided and women should keep cleavage, knees and shoulders covered out of respect.
Are Leisure Facilities Also Closed During Ramadan?
Leisure facilities remain open as usual during Ramadan. Hotel guests can enjoy the beaches and facilities as they normally do. Beaches remain open and sports facilities, health and leisure centers keep operating as in any other month of the year.
Is Live Entertainment Allowed in Ramadan?
Unfortunately, no! To keep Ramadan’s sanctity intact, no live music at pubs, bars or alcohol-serving restaurant is allowed at all. No concerts or festivals take place in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE during Ramadan. The only kind of music allowed in Ramadan is the traditional oud music.
Are Shopping and Public Places Also Closed During Fasting Hours?
Shopping and public places change their operating hours in Ramadan as opposed to normal days. In general, they remain open for short hours in the morning, usually from 10 am to 12 am, and reopen from Iftar (dusk) until midnight.
Are There Different Business/Working Hours in Dubai During Ramadan?
In some cases, working hours are reduced in Dubai during Ramadan. Although some places keep their normal working hours but facilitate the fasting employees with flexible working hours. The private sector in general doesn’t reduce its business hours but allows fasting employees to work in shifts for their convenience.
Are Iftar Buffets in Dubai Exclusive to Fasters or Non-Muslims Can Also Join In?
Iftar buffets are NOT exclusive to Muslims and anyone is more than welcome to join. Nearly all food outlets in Dubai offer special iftar buffets which come as an opportunity for non-fasters to eat good food alongside those who have been fasting.