Ramadan is a very important period in the Islamic calendar, and Muslims all over the world look forward to welcoming it. More than being the month of fasting, it is also a time for deep reflection and contemplation.
In Qatar, fasting is strictly promoted and observed with many restaurants remaining closed during the daytime. Working hours for most commercial establishments change during the month.
This article summarises the updates about the changes to Ramadan working hours in Qatar.
Government Sector Working Hours for Ramadan (2023)
On the occasion of the advent of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1444 AH, it was decided that the official working hours during the blessed month for civil employees will be five hours a day, starting from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, the circular stated.
Employees may be permitted late attendance up to 10am at the latest, provided that they fulfill work requirements and complete the official working hours (five hours).
| Ministries, government agencies and public bodies and institutions. | 9 am to 2 pm |
Ramadan Timing for Ministry of Interior (2023)
The working hours of different departments of the Ministry of Interior during the month of Ramadan 2023 are as below:
| General Directorate of Passports | 8 am to 1 pm |
| Traffic Investigation | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| Security-related Departments | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| Technical Inspection | 6 am to 4 pm |
| Drivers’ Licensing Department at Driving Schools | 5:30 am to 10:30 am |
| License Plate Manufacturing Workshop in Ain Khalid | 8 am to 5 pm |
| Criminal Evidence and Information Department | 9 am to 2 pm |
Ramadan Timing For Fahes Vehicle Inspection (2023)
Fahes inspection centres working hours during the Holy month of Ramadan 2023 are as below:
| Al Mazrouaah | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Wadi Al Banat / Mesaimeer | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Al Shahaniya / Al Egda | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Al Wakra / Al Wukair | 6 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Mobile Inspection Unit at Madinat Al Shamal / External | 7 am to 12 noon |
Registration closes in all mobile stations 15 minutes before end time.
Ramadan Timing for Ministry of Public Health (2023)
The Ministry of Public Health announced the working hours in each of the Medical Commission Department, birth registration offices, and the Department of Medical Relations and Treatment Abroad, during the holy month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Timing for Medical Commission (2023)
The Ministry of Public Health stated that the Medical Commission Department will receive patients from 9 am until 5.30 pm.
Ramadan Timing for Birth Registration Offices (2023)
The birth registration offices will receive requests for registration and issuance of birth certificates for newborns in the morning from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm in each of the Women’s Health and Research Center, Al Wakra Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, the Cuban Hospital, Sidra Medicine, Al-Ahli Hospital, Doha Clinic Hospital, and Al-Emadi Hospital
Meanwhile, the Women’s Wellness and Research Center, Sidra Medicine, and Al-Ahli Hospital will provide birth registration services in the evening shift from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
| Women’s Health and Research Center | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm |
| Al Khor Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Al Wakra Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Cuban Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Sidra Medicine | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Al Ahli Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm |
| Al-Emadi Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Doha Clinic Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm |
Visitors can complete the procedures for registering a birth certificate online through the ministry’s website.
Medical Relations and Treatment Abroad Department
Appointments for receiving the patients of the Medical Relations and Treatment Abroad Department at the Ministry of Public Health building will be from Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 1 pm, after booking an appointment through this link.
Ramadan Timing for HMC (2023)
All emergency and inpatient services across HMC’s network of hospitals will continue to operate as normal, 24-hours a day, seven days a week during the holy month of Ramadan.
The changes to operating hours affect a number of services delivered remotely via the National Healthcare Helpline number: 16000. National Healthcare Helpline number-16000- will be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during Ramadan. People can access the service by calling 16000, select language and select number according to the service required.
HMC Nesma’ak Customer Service helpline, 16060 will continue to operate 24 hours a day seven days a week.
| All emergency and inpatient services in all HMC hospitals | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| HMC Outpatient Department Clinics | 9 am to 2 pm (Sunday to Thursday) |
| HMC Urgent Consultation Service | 9 am to 2 pm (Sunday to Thursday) |
| Mental Health Helpline | 8 am to 8 pm (7 days a week) |
| HMC Pharmacy Medication Home Delivery Service | 9 am to 2 pm (Saturday to Thursday) |
| Blood Donor Center (West Energy Centre) | 8 am to1 pm (for non-Muslim donors) and 6 pm to 12 midnight from Sunday to Thursday. 6 pm to 2 am (Saturday), Friday: Closed. |
| Clinical Imaging Call Centre | 8 am to 6 pm (Sunday to Thursday) 8 am to 2 pm (Saturdays) |
Doha Metro Ramadan Working Hours
Doha Metro & Lusail Tram has announced the updated service hours for the holy month of Ramadan 2023.
Station doors will open:
Saturday to Thursday from 6:30 am to 1:00 am.
Friday service starts from 2:00 pm to 1:00 am.
Ramadan Working Hours for Private Sector
During Ramadan, the majority of employees will work two hours less each day as required by Qatar laws and regulations. The normal working day of eight hours is reduced to six hours for most sectors.
However, some categories like foodstuff stores, pharmacies, and restaurants working on deliveries and the contracting sector are excluded from this practice. The employer can also opt for two hours of overtime work to make it eight hours per day.
According to Article 73 of Qatar Labour Law (Law No 14 of 2004), “The maximum limit of the normal working hours shall be forty-eight hours per week, and of eight hours a day in all the months of the year, except in the month of Ramadan where the maximum working hours shall be thirty-six hours per month of six hours per day.”
The Ministry of Labour is the pertinent Government agency with regulation and enforcement responsibility.
If employers have any questions in relation to their Ramadan working policies and procedures they should attend the Labour Department and confirm that such policies and procedures are compliant. In particular, the hours for employees working in shifts should be discussed and agreed upon.
In case of a complaint, you can contact the Ministry of Labour using any of these channels.
Ramadan Working Hours Shopping Malls & Souqs
Mall of Qatar Ramadan 2023 Opening Hours
| Shopping Category | 23 March to 5 April | 6 Apr to End of Ramadan |
|---|---|---|
| General Mall Trading Hours (Sat to Thu) | 10 am to 4 pm 7.30 pm to 12 am | 10 am to 12 am |
| General Mall Trading Hours (Friday) | 1 pm to 12 am | 10 am to 12 am |
| Food and Beverages | Iftar to 12 am | Iftar to 1 am |
| Carrefour | 9 am to 12 am | 9 am to 12 am |
Doha Festival City Ramadan 2023 Opening Hours
| Shopping Category | 23 March to 5 April | 6 Apr to End of Ramadan |
|---|---|---|
| General Mall Trading Hours (Sat to Thu) | 10 am to 3 pm 7 pm to 12 am | 10 am to 1 am |
| General Mall Trading Hours (Friday) | 1 pm to 12 am | 10 am to 1 am |
| Food and Beverages | Iftar to 1 am | Iftar to 2 am |
| Hypermarket | 8 am to 12 am | 8 am to 12 am |
Gulf Mall Ramadan 2023 Opening Hours
| Shopping Category | 23 March to 5 April | 6 Apr to End of Ramadan |
|---|---|---|
| General Mall Trading Hours (Sat to Thu) | 10 am to 3.30 pm 7.30 pm to 12 am | 10 am to 12 am / 1 am |
| General Mall Trading Hours (Friday) | 1 pm to 1 am | 10 am to 12 am / 1 am |
| Food and Beverages | Iftar to 12 am | Iftar to 1 am |
| Al Meera | 7 am to 12 am | 7 am to 12 am |
Tawar Mall 2023 Opening Hours
SHOPS & KIOSKS
Saturday to Thursday : 09:00 am – 03.00 pm & 07:30 pm – 12:30 am
Friday : 02:00 pm – 05.00 pm & 07:30 pm – 12:30 am
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Saturday to Friday – from iftar time to 01:00 am
HYPERMARKET
Saturday to Thursday: 9 am to 1 am
Friday : 9am to 11:30 & 12:30 pm to 1 am
City Center Mall Ramadan 2023 Opening Hours
- Saturday – Thursday: 10 am – 1 am
- Fridays: 3 pm – 1 am, closed on prayer hours
- Note: Some shops will be open from 10 am
Villagio Mall Ramadan 2023 Opening Hours
- Saturday – Thursday from 10 am to 3 pm, 7:30 pm to 1 am
- Friday: 1 pm to 1 am
- Restaurants & cafes: Iftar to 1 am
Souq Waqif
- Morning from 8 am – 1 pm
- Evening from 7:30 pm – 12 am
- Restaurants from Iftar to Sohour
Souq Al Wakrah
- Morning from 8 am – 1 pm
- Evening from 7:30 pm – 12 am
- Restaurants from Iftar to Sohour
You May Also Like:
- Best Iftar Deals To Try in Qatar (2023)
- Iftar Buffet in Qatar Under QR 100 (2023)
- How To Get Qatar Driving License
I am sales person in comapny and i am forced to work 8 hours per day in Ramadan month,i told them about the 36hrs per week in Ramadan according to law Article 73,but they told me resign if i didnt worked as usual 48 hours per week.What should i do?
Hi Atmosphere, You can file a labour complaint if you want https://www.dohaguides.com/labour-complaint-in-qatar/ . But make sure you have some evidence about working 8 hours.
Immigration Working time please during Ramadan.
There is any fine for company who are exeding up to 10 hours of work during ramadan instead of 6 hours working time?
Good day Sir/Ma’am:
I just want to ask regarding the Ramadan working hours if it’s applicable only for the Muslim. Non Muslim employees are not entitled?