From Morocco to Bangladesh and everywhere in between, there are a lot of Muslim countries in the world. Awesome cities like Marrakech, Chittagong, and Dubai are all predominantly filled with Muslim people, and naturally celebrate Ramadan every year. We have had some really cool travel experiences in our lives, but one of the most memorable ones was definitely traveling in the Arab world during Ramadan. Ramadan is the holiest month of the year in Islam, and we knew that things were bound to look and feel differently than previous trips to the Arab world. Still, we weren’t sure what to expect when we hopped on our flight to Morocco for that trip.
One of the most memorable ones was definitely traveling in the Arab world during Ramadan.
The trip was very enlightening and eye-opening. Not only did we have a great time traveling around Morocco, but we also learned a lot about Islam and the devout religious dedication that exists throughout the Arab World. This post is for everyone who is thinking of traveling to a Muslim country during Ramadan.
1. Beware of the Odd Hours of Operation
During Ramadan, it is very common for stores, businesses, and restaurants in Muslim countries to operate on altered and diminished schedules. This is for many reasons, but largely due to the fact that people are fasting throughout the day and do not have the energy to work. Businesses change their hours of operation to help their employees cope with the struggles of fasting.
As practicing Muslims aren’t allowed to eat between sunrise and sunset, they are often up late at night breaking the fast with friends and family before it resumes the next day. For this reason, the hours of operation of stores and restaurants also tend to be shifted a bit later, as people are still sleeping at 9am when stores might traditionally open.
Most places tend to be open in the evening, but mornings are a lot spottier.
While it is pretty hit or miss, I found in Morocco that most places tend to be open in the evening, but mornings are a lot spottier. If you are staying in a place that doesn’t serve you a hot breakfast, you might want to buy breakfast ingredients in the evening beforehand to avoid being forced to fast yourself!
On a side note, if you want a really cultural experience, be sure to head out after sunset to the main square of whatever city you are in. There is sure to be a celebration going on as the locals break their fast for the night!
2. Dress Extra Modestly
Muslim countries tend to be more conservative than most Western countries, and this conservatism carries over into attire. While the expected attire of tourists varies from country to country, it is always more conservative than anywhere in Europe or North America. I wrote an entire post on what to wear in Morocco, and I also mentioned attire in my Dubai and Abu Dhabi travel guides.
It is seen as highly disrespectful if you wear inappropriate clothing during Ramadan.
While some countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, tend to be a bit more lax when it comes to expected tourist attire, it is crucial that you dress extra conservatively when traveling during Ramadan. It is not the law, but it is seen as highly disrespectful if you wear inappropriate clothing during Ramadan. This is the holiest time of the year for Muslims, and tourists should be respectful of this when traveling in the Arab World or any other Muslim country during Ramadan.
You do not need to wear a full-length gown or a head covering in most countries, but you should be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing, show minimal skin, and draw as little attention to yourself as possible. This applies to both men and women equally.
3. Avoid Eating and Drinking in Public as Much as Possible
As I mentioned before, practicing Muslims are not allowed to eat between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. Not only that – they can’t consume anything. No smoking, no chewing gum, and most shockingly no water. This fast is extremely hard to do, and to think that many Muslims manage to do it in the hot weather of countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman is mind-blowing.
As a courtesy, it is a good idea to make your own consumption of food and beverage as discrete as possible. While eating in restaurants is completely fine, try not to drink or eat while walking around the streets of whatever country you are visiting. Just like you wouldn’t want someone eating pizza and donuts in front of you if you were trying to lose weight, practicing Muslims don’t want to see you drinking refreshing water or chowing down on some fresh fruit while they bake in the desert heat during their fast. Again, this is not a matter of law, but is a matter of courtesy and respect.
4. Be Extra Patient with People You Encounter
If you were fasting for the brunt of the day, every day, for a month…would you be chipper and happy? While many Muslims find beauty in the sacrifice of Ramadan, there is no denying that it is a very demanding month for them. There is a good chance that you will run into someone that is having a bad day.
The person you’re talking to is in the middle of an intense experience of sacrifice and prayer, and they are probably both very hungry and very thirsty.
If this happens to you, try to remember that the person you’re talking to is in the middle of an intense experience of sacrifice and prayer, and they are probably both very hungry and very thirsty. They’re probably pretty tired, too. Try to cut them some slack, and remember that you were able to hydrate and fill up on food before heading out to explore, and the people that you’re meeting haven’t eaten in hours.
5. Understand and Embrace Local Customs and Traditions
While traveling during Ramadan requires a few sacrifices on your behalf as a tourist, it also provides you with some really unique experiences that can’t be had any other time of the year. Ramadan is truly a beautiful month on a spiritual level, and there are so many opportunities to learn about the culture and people in the country you are visiting.
Lean into the differences, and seek to learn as much as you can about the local culture, religion, and people. If you seek these experiences out, you are bound to be met with open arms and make memories that you won’t forget any time soon. Dressing extra modestly isn’t the law, but doing so is a sign of courtesy that might unlock doors for you. Eating in public isn’t illegal, but it might turn away someone who had a story to share with you. Regardless, if you are traveling during Ramadan, I encourage you to do your research to understand what Ramadan is and what it stands for. This will provide you with a unique perspective throughout your trip.
Thanks for reading my post on traveling during Ramadan. Ramadan is a beautiful time of self-sacrifice for Muslims, and traveling to a Muslim country during Ramadan provides an entirely unique experience. We traveled to Morocco during Ramadan of 2019 and were amazed by the dedication of everyone that we met. If you have any questions about traveling during Ramadan, please let us know by dropping a comment below. While we are not Muslim, we love studying the religions of the world and may be able to answer your questions.
