Ramadan Mubarak! Or Blissful Ramadan! It is a particular time to immerse yourselves in a Muslim nation like Oman. However non-Muslims want to perform a little research if their travels coincide with the Holy Month. It is very important respect native traditions and legal guidelines when visiting Oman throughout Ramadan.
Having travelled and lived in Oman throughout Ramadan we all know that expectations and legal guidelines aren’t commonplace throughout the Islamic world. On this put up I’m sharing some particular recommendation about visiting Oman throughout the Holy Month so you realize what to anticipate as a vacationer.
*This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks*
What’s Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month within the Islamic lunar calendar and is thought to be one of many holiest months of the yr.
It’s a time for Muslims to concentrate on the 5 Pillars of Islam:
religion in a single God
prayer
almsgiving
fasting
and pilgrimage to Mecca.
The BBC has a lot of details about Ramadan and there’s some nice assets for kids on Twinkl.
You can even discover loads of kids’s story books about Ramadan* on Amazon.
Is it OK to go to Oman throughout Ramadan?
Sure. However it’s good to have a take into consideration how a lot it would influence the sort of vacation or journey expertise you’d wish to have, particularly in case you are visiting Oman with children.
Even non-Muslims we’re anticipated to decorate very conservatively and never eat or drink in public throughout sunlight hours.
If you wish to expertise Oman’s luxurious resorts* and are glad to discover in brief bursts that don’t necessitate consuming out throughout the day, visiting Oman throughout Ramadan is not going to be too dissimilar to every other time.
Nonetheless, if you wish to go on all day excursions to Oman’s wadis, set off on a street journey round Oman or get pleasure from a meal whereas shopping the souqs of Mutrah and Nizwa it may be value reserving to come back at one other time.
However please learn on to search out out extra about Ramadan in Oman earlier than you make your resolution.
When is Ramadan in Oman?
The dates of the Holy Month of Ramadan change yearly as a result of the Muslim calendar is inline with the cycles of the moon. It’s not unusual for Ramadan dates to vary barely world wide. In Oman it’s decided by the sighting of the crescent moon
Discover out when Ramadan is anticipated this yr.
In case you go to Oman simply earlier than Ramadan you’ll discover a way of anticipation.
The outlets are busier as everybody buys of their household’s favorite meals, prepares their properties to obtain friends and picks out new outfits.
You’ll additionally see flags, lanterns and fairy lights adorning outlets and malls. It’s an enormous industrial occasion in addition to a non secular one.
What’s Ramadan like in Oman?
Oman is the primary Muslim nation we’ve got lived in so we have been excited to expertise Ramadan for the primary time.
Through the day in every single place is so much quieter as folks attempt to preserve their power after a meal earlier than daybreak.
Within the afternoon the roads change into busier as folks benefit from shorter and staggered working hours to allow them to return residence to interrupt their quick with Iftar – a feast because the solar units.
In case you exit simply earlier than sundown you’ll spot the place individuals are gathering to interrupt their quick.
The roads round the place we stay in Muscat have been lined with vehicles that had introduced households dressed of their most interesting outfits and platters of meals to share with the relations and pals they have been visiting.
Households additionally collect in parks and on the seashore if the climate permits.
Despite the fact that Ramadan is a month lengthy it flew by for us. In 2023 the Holy Month coincided with the Easter college holidays so we spent a couple of weeks in another country and skilled Ramadan throughout a tour of Egypt.
What’s open in Oman throughout Ramadan?
Most vacationer sights and malls are open throughout Ramadan, even the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. The one distinction is a few outlets might have decreased hours, and cafes and eating places will likely be closed till after darkish.
Impartial and family-run outlets will likely be closed throughout the day and open within the evenings. The exception is Friday when some might stay closed.
The one factor that may curtail your sightseeing is your want for foods and drinks.
Are you able to eat and drink in public throughout Ramadan in Oman?
Omani legislation says you can not eat or drink (even water) between daybreak and nightfall. In line with article 277 of the Omani Penal Code, anybody over the age of 15 discovered consuming or ingesting in a public place throughout sunlight hours may very well be jailed for between 10 days and three months.
This is applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims together with vacationers visiting Oman throughout Ramadan. So your sightseeing will likely be affected for those who plan to be out throughout meal occasions or in sizzling climate.
Eating places and cafes will likely be closed besides in worldwide resorts. Some chain eating places provide takeaways however these need to be consumed after nightfall or in personal.
Below 15s, anybody who’s ailing, aged or pregnant is exempt from fasting. Girls who’re menstruating are additionally exempt. However you gained’t see these folks consuming or ingesting in public.
My finest recommendation for consuming and ingesting whereas sightseeing is to be very discrete. Transfer someplace completely out of view, even for a sip of water. In case you are reserving excursions with tour firms communicate to them about meals and water beforehand.
In case you are seen consuming and ingesting the most effective case situation is that you’ll trigger offence, which nobody needs to do when travelling to get pleasure from a special tradition. The worst case situation is you would be fined or put in jail, which might additionally put an enormous dampener in your journey.
Are eating places closed in Oman throughout Ramadan?
Sure. Normally, eating places and cafes are closed throughout sunlight hours in Oman. Just a few worldwide chains, like quick meals shops, open for takeaways solely. However they’ve a restricted menu and it’s good to eat your meals and drinks after nightfall or in personal (again at your lodge).
Resort eating places are the one locations that serve meals throughout the day. They could have screened off areas to separate friends who’re and who are usually not fasting.
Eating places reopen at Iftar time every day, when folks break their quick.
You might be unlikely to search out alcohol served at licensed eating places exterior of worldwide lodge chains.
What about foods and drinks on the airport?
We travelled from Oman to Egypt throughout Ramadan so came upon what Ramadan meant for foods and drinks in Muscat Worldwide Airport.
We discovered that after you’re by means of safety the meals shops and responsibility free outlets in Muscat’s Departures space are open as regular.
The responsibility free store in departures and arrivals additionally continues to promote alcohol.
Does Oman Air serve meals and alcohol throughout Ramadan?
Sure. We took return flights from Muscat to Cairo with with Oman Air throughout Ramadan.
The flight crew continued to serve meals and drinks, together with alcohol on request. We have been even supplied a meal after taking off from Cairo previous 1am. Throughout sunlight hours passengers are requested if they’re fasting earlier than being supplied something.
In case you are flying with an airline primarily based within the Center East it’s a good suggestion to verify their insurance policies on foods and drinks throughout Ramadan.
What must you put on throughout Ramadan in Oman?
In Muscat, you must a minimum of cowl your knees and shoulders and never put on tight clothes throughout Ramadan.
I’ve gone past this since transferring to Oman and recurrently put on lengthy sleeves, lengthy clothes or trousers. So carrying conservative garments throughout Ramadan doesn’t really feel too totally different to the norm.
In areas away from the capital, the place there’s a stronger sense of Omani custom, extra conservative clothes is anticipated. Come ready with lengthy sleeves and ankle size skirts or trousers.
We additionally dressed our kids in lengthy leggings and lengthy sleeved tops when going out throughout Ramadan.
Head coverings aren’t crucial for girls except you go to a mosque.
The place to e book an Iftar
One thing we didn’t have time for throughout our first Ramadan was to go to an Iftar in Oman.
Lodges and eating places lay on enormous buffets the place anybody can e book a desk.
Iftars on the Crown Plaza Muscat* in Qurum and Olivos on the Radisson Blu Resort* at Al Khuwair and Taybat on the Grand Millennium in Muscat* are all advocate venues.
Can you purchase alcohol in Oman throughout Ramadan?
Alcohol is just not usually that can be purchased in Oman’s outlets or supermarkets at any time. A private license is required to go to particular off licenses and these are solely out there to residents.
Throughout Ramadan these off licenses are closed.
It’s nonetheless doable to purchase alcohol on the airport as you arrive in Muscat or Salalah.
When you step exterior the airport it’s only doable to purchase alcohol in worldwide resorts and a few might restrict gross sales throughout Ramadan. Test together with your lodge.
Remaining ideas on visiting Oman throughout Ramadan
Ramadan shouldn’t cease you travelling to Oman nevertheless it’s vital to bear in mind when it’s occurring as it would influence your journey.
This isn’t the case in each Muslim nation world wide. We had a special expertise when visiting Egypt with our youngsters to what we noticed day-to-day in Oman. Even throughout the Arabian Peninsular Ramadan performs out in a different way for guests.
We have now pals who took a visit to Dubai throughout Ramadan and stated they hardly seen. Solely Muslims dressed conservatively and other people have been consuming and ingesting in public locations.
One thing actually useful that I purchased earlier than we moved to Oman was the Lonely Planet Oman UAE & Arabian Peninsular* information e book. In addition to details about issues to do in Oman there’s a great deal of nice tips on customs and traditions.
Learn extra about visiting Oman with children in my complete journey information for households.
Have you ever visited a Muslim nation throughout Ramadan? What was your expertise? In case you’re visiting Oman throughout Ramadan or every other time then I’d be glad to reply your questions. Remark under or drop me an e mail.
Disclosure: this put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks marked with *. In case you click on on considered one of these hyperlinks and make a purchase order I imply earn some fee. This doesn’t have an effect on the value you pay.