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 day time. Working hours for most commercial establishments change during the month.
This article summarises the updates about the changes to Ramadan working hours in Qatar:
- Ramadan Working Hours for Ministry of Interior
- Ramadan Working Hours for HMC
- Ramadan Working Hours for Birth Registration Offices
- Ramadan Working Hours for COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Ramadan Working Hours For Fahes Vehicle Inspection
- Ramadan Working Hours for Government Sector
- Ramadan Working Hours for Private Sector
Ramadan Working Hours for Ministry of Interior
The working hours of different departments of the Ministry of Interior in the month of Ramadan are as below:
| General Directorate of Passports | 8 am to 1 pm |
| Nationality and Travel Documents Department | 8 am to 1 pm |
| General Directorate of Traffic (Headquarters) | 9 am to 2 pm |
| Criminal Evidences and Information Department | 9 am to 2 pm |
| Technical Inspection | 8 am to 4 pm (except for Fridays and Saturday) |
| Security Departments | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| Traffic Investigation | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
Ramadan Working Hours for HMC
All emergency and inpatient services across Hamad Medical Corporation (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 COVID-19 helpline 16000. During the holy month of Ramadan COVID-19 helpline will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
| All emergency and inpatient services in all HMC hospitals | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| COVID-19 Helpline (16000) | 24 hours (7 days a week) |
| HMC OPD Virtual Clinics | 9 am to 2 pm (Sunday to Thursday) |
| HMC Urgent Consultation Service | 8 am to 3 pm (7 days a week) |
| Mental Health Helpline | 9 am to 2 pm & 9 pm to 2 am (Saturday to Thursday) 9 am to 2 pm (Fridays) |
| HMC Pharmacy Medication Home Delivery Service | 8 am to 3 pm (Saturday to Thursday) |
| HMC Drug Information Service (40260759) | 8 am to 3 pm (Saturday to Thursday) |
| HMC Diabetes Hotline | 8 am to 5.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 11 pm (7 days a week) |
| Blood Donor Center (next to Hamad General Hospital) | 8 am to 1 pm and 6 pm to 12 midnight (Saturday to Thursday) |
| New Blood Donor Center (opposite Outpatient Department next to Surgical Specialty Center) | 6 pm to 12 midnight (Saturday to Thursday) |
| HMC Nesma’ak Customer Service Helpline (16060) | 7 am to 10 pm (Sunday to Thursday) 10 am to 4 pm (Friday and Saturday) |
| Medical Commission | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Human Services Office (Death Unit) | 9 am to 4 pm |
Ramadan Working Hours for Birth Registration Offices
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 and in the evening from 2 pm to 5 pm at Women’s Health and Research Center, Sidra Medicine and Al-Ahli Hospital.
Offices at Al Khor Hospital, Al-Emadi Hospital and Doha Clinic Hospital will be open only in the morning.
| Women’s Health and Research Center | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 2 pm to 5 pm |
| Sidra Medicine | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 2 pm to 5 pm |
| Al-Ahli Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 2 pm to 5 pm |
| Al Khor Hospital | 9:30 am to 1:30 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.
Ramadan Working Hours for COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced the working hours of the COVID-19 vaccination centre at QNCC and the drive-through vaccination centres at Lusail and Al Wakra during Ramadan:
| Qatar National Convention Centre | 8 am to 4 pm & 7 pm to 1 am (7 days a week); Last entry 1 hour before closing |
| Drive-through vaccination centre at Lusail | 1 pm to 12 midnight (7 days a week); Last entry at 11 pm. |
| Drive-through vaccination centre at Al Wakra | 1 pm to 12 midnight (7 days a week); Last entry at 11 pm. |
Ramadan Working Hours For Fahes Vehicle Inspection
Fahes inspection centres working hours during the Holy month of Ramadan are as below:
| Al Mazrouaah | 8 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Wadi Al Banat / Mesaimeer | 8 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Al Shahaniya / Al Egda | 8 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Al Wakra / Al Wukair | 8 am to 4 pm | Gate close at 3:30 pm |
| Mobile Inspection Unit at Madinat Al Shamal / External | 8 am to 12 pm | Gate close at 11:45 am |
Ramadan Working Hours for Government Sector
According to a circular issued by Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Issa bin Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi, official working hours during Ramadan for ministries, government agencies and public bodies and institutions will be five hours a day, starting from 9 am to 2 pm.
| Ministries, government agencies and public bodies and institutions. | 9 am to 2 pm |
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.
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