Working hours for UAE private sector workers reduced for Ramadan

The Ministry of Human Resources has announced amended hours during the holy month, which is expected to begin on May 6

The sun sets over a mosque during Ramadan at Al Bahya in Abu Dhabi on May 31, 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Muslims arrive shortly before sunset to break their fast in Dubai on May 23, 2018. EPA

Men share iftar at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

Muslims have iftar at the Kuwaiti mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

Men break their fast at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

Staff pour porridge in small containers ready to serve for iftar at Wonder Chef Catering in Al Quoz, Dubai, on May 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

Muslims pray before iftar at the Kuwaiti mosque in Deira, Dubai, on May 20, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

Men prepare an area for communal iftar at Lootah Masjid Mosque, Deira, Dubai, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

People queue for takeaway iftar meals in Deira, Dubai, in 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

Men prepare for iftar at Lootah Mosque in Deira, Dubai, in 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

Staff prepare iftar meals in Al Quoz, Dubai, 2018. Leslie Pableo for The National

A cat follows a man in front of the Bani Hashim Mosque, Abu Dhabi, in 2018. AFP

Jordanian Nasser Nihad Ibrahim competes in the Dubai International Holy Quran Award in 2018. The annual event consists of readings from the Quran. AFP

Women perform evening prayers at Al Qasba Mosque, Sharjah, in 2018. EPA

People walk under illuminated decorations at Qanat Al Qasba, Sharjah, in 2018. EPA

Muslims break their fast in Dubai in 2018. EPA

The sun sets behind a mosque during Ramadan in Abu Dhabi in 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The working day will be reduced by two hours for private sector employees in the UAE during Ramadan, a UAE minister has announced.

Nasser Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, revealed the adjusted working hours for staff in a circular issued by the ministry.

The first day of Ramadan in 2019 fell on May 6 in the UAE after the moon sighting committee convened at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and spotted the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of a new month.

The Moon sighting committee will reconvene on the 29th day of Ramadan to search for a glimpse of the new crescent moon, which will signal the start of Eid Al Fitr. When spotted, the following morning will be announced as the first day of the 10th month, known as Shawwal.

It has been confirmed that private schools in Dubai will shorten the school day by two hours this Ramadan.

Dubai's education regulator, the KHDA, classes will start between 8.00am to 8.30am and finish between 1.00pm to 1.30pm, with shorter breaks as required.

"Schools should ensure that the total hours at school per day for pupils do not exceed five hours," said Mohammed Darwish, chief of permits and compliance.