Ramadan 2022: Sharjah restaurants need permits to display food on tables outside

The emirate's municipality will set up special iftar tents for workers

Restaurants will be required to follow hygiene and food storage rules once they obtain a permit. Pawan Singh / The National

Restaurants and cafes in Sharjah have been asked to apply for permits to display food on tables outside their premises during Ramadan.

They were not permitted to display food outside during the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement sent to the media, Sharjah Municipality listed hygiene and food storage rules that should be followed after restaurants obtain a permit.

Inspectors have started carrying out checks and will continue to do so until the end of Ramadan, the municipality said.

Officers will assess the level of hygiene, how the food is being prepared and stored, and will educate workers on health practices.

“Plans are in place to ensure establishments are in compliance with all health rules during the holy month,” said Obaid Al Tunaiji, director general of Sharjah Municipality.

“Maintaining public health is a priority for the municipality and 50 inspectors have been assigned to visit and check all food establishments to ensure rules are being followed.”

Restaurants will also need a permit to serve food to non-Muslims during fasting hours.

The municipality and Sharjah Charity will step up two tents in industrial areas to offer free iftar meals to workers.

Parking will be free of charge at mosques during taraweeh, night prayers, said during the holy month.

Faith Gallery at Sharjah Museum - in pictures

The Islamic Faith Gallery is part of the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Artefacts in the gallery include sections from the Kiswah, which covers the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The heavy cloth of black silk is lined with cotton and embroidered with gold and silver.

A model of Quba Mosque, situated on the outskirts of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

A series of pictures by Harry St John Philby (1885-1960) who was a British colonial officer, Arabist, explorer and writer.

People view an exhibit, 'The Five Pillars of Islam'.

The Islamic Faith Gallery and other parts of the museum hold thousands of rare and important artefacts.

The exhibits cover different periods of Islamic history.

Visitors can learn about the artistic achievements of Islamic calligraphers and artisans. Exhibits include ceramics, metalwork, glass and cloths.

A section from the Kiswah belt of the Kaaba.

A copy of a religious manuscript by Moroccan Sufi saint Muhammad Al Jazuli, entitled Dala'il al-Khayrat wa Shawariq al-Anwar.

A visitor enters the Islamic Faith Gallery.

Images of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

An exhibit with images of the Holy Mosque and Makkah Al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia.

An artwork showing Islamic domes and Arabic calligraphy painted in 1999 in either Iran or Iraq.

A manuscript of the Quran, in black Naskh script, accentuated with red detailing, chapter headings and margins highlighted in gold.