Dubai’s religion

As the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is truly a cosmopolitan place that has welcomed—and continues to welcome—expats from all over the world. Today, around 90% of Dubai’s population comes from other countries, particularly India and Pakistan. As a result, religion plays a big role in everyday life here, with Islam being by far the most practiced faith, representing 97% of the population. About 80% of Muslims in Dubai follow the Sunni branch, 16% are Shia, and 1% are Druze. The remaining 4% are either Christians, Buddhists, or Hindus. Therefore, Ramadan is the most important religious practice here in Dubai, being one of the five pillars of Islam. During this holy month, Muslims fast during the day—not just from eating and drinking, as many people know, but also from smoking, wearing makeup or perfume, and having intimate relations. Swearing and angry behaviour are also discouraged during this time. As the sun sets, the iftar commences—a meal that features traditional dishes and sweet pastries, often shared with family or fellow worshippers as a way to break the fast. At dawn the next day, Muslims fast again until sunset, and this continues for a full month. The origins of Ramadan go back to the year 610, when the angel Gabriel is said to have come meet the Prophet Muhammad to reveal the Quran. Consequently, this moment of revelation is commemorated each year with a month-long fast. At the end of Ramadan comes Eid al-Fitr, the festival that marks the end of the fasting period, and people can once again eat and drink during the day. Because Dubai is so strongly influenced by these Muslim traditions, visitors who come during Ramadan are asked to be respectful and to not eat, drink or smoke in public during the day out of consideration for Dubaians.