Permits for Ramadan tents cancelled in Abu Dhabi

The move follows a federal announcement in mid-March to ban the use of communal tents

Iftar and suhoor tents are typically a Ramadan staple but this year, permits will not be issued so as to avoid gatherings. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi has cancelled all permits for Ramadan tents in the emirate this year.

The move is in line with procedures issued by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority to prevent large gatherings.

It follows a federal rule announced in mid-March banning the use of communal tents, which are traditionally used to distribute free iftar meals.

Crisis authorities in Sharjah, Dubai and Ajman all previously prohibited the use of Ramadan tents.

Muslims will celebrate the second Ramadan of the coronavirus pandemic in little over a week’s time.

Mosques will remain open this year, but precautions remain.

Worshippers must also take their own prayer mats and copies of the Quran, and follow social-distancing protocols.

The holy month is expected to begin around April 12, but this will depend on the sighting of the new moon.

The start of the month is announced once a country’s Moon-sighting committee spots the new crescent.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and will last either 29 or 30 days, until the next new moon is seen.

On Thursday, the UAE Fatwa Council held an online meeting to discuss Covid-19 regulations during the holy month.

The council, chaired by Sheikh Abdallah bin Bayyah, said that taking the Covid-19 vaccine "does not invalidate fasting".

Further announcements regarding Ramadan are due to be made at the country's regular Covid-19 briefing on Tuesday.

How the UAE marked Ramadan in 2020:

• 

  A cannon is fired at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, to mark the beginning of iftar in 2020. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  A Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Hundreds of packets of cooked food provided by Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Jebel Ali for the needy are distributed by Markaz volunteers before iftar at the Naif area of Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Volunteers in Fujairah prepare food to be handed out at iftar. Antonie Robertson / The National

• 

  Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  A cannon is fired to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest standing building. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  A woman checks out a Ramadan promotional stand at Carrefour in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Ramadan lamps for sale at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali, Dubai, on the day before Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Ramadan decorations at the Spinneys in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

• 

  A Ramadan date shopper at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

• 

  Ramadan decorations inside Al Fateh Plaza at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National