The provisions of UAE Attorney-General Decision No. 119 of 2019 related to Penal order (the ‘Attorney General Decision No. 119 of 2019’) are applicable pertaining to eating or drinking in public during the holy month of Ramadan.
It should be noted that Attorney General Decision No. 119 of 2019 states that:
An individual may be penalised with an amount of Dh2,000 for consuming food and beverages in public during fasting hours. A restaurant may be fined Dh2,000 if it serves food and beverages in public during fasting hours.
However, there is no restriction on restaurants to serve food and beverages during fasting hours within their indoor premises.
Further, in addition to the above mentioned, non-Muslims should respect the sentiments, customs and traditions during the fasting hours by not smoking, not dancing or playing music or not wearing inappropriate clothing in public areas. They must also avoid public display of affection.
Additionally, the official UAE Government website states some Ramadan etiquettes for non-Muslims. “Ensure that you do not:
- Engage in any aggressive behaviour
- Dance or play music in public although you may listen to music quietly with headphones
- Swear as blasphemy is considered extra offensive during Ramadan
- Refuse a gift, or an invitation to join someone at Iftar.”
News Source: Khaleej Times
