Apr 13, 2016, 2:03 am
Last edit by: remdk
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is a holy month to Muslims and also a joyous and spiritual time. I am concentrating upon that which most affects Non-Muslim QR passengers during Ramadan.
When is Ramadan?
Because the Muslim´calendar is a lunar calendar the date in the Gregorian, or solar, calendar changes every year. Each year it is about 11 days earlier than the previous year.
Ramadan 2017 was 27 May to 25 June.
Ramadan 2018 was16 May to 14 June.
Ramadan 2019 was 6 May to 4 June.
Ramadan 2020 was 24 April to 23 May.
Ramadan 2021 was 12 April to 11 May.
Ramadan 2022 was 2 April to 2 May.
Ramadan 2023 wss 22 March to 23 April.
Ramadan 2024 is 10 March to 9 April.
Ramadan 2025 is 1 March to 30 March.
Ramadan 2026 is 18 February to 19 March.
Ramadan 2027 is 8 February to 9 March.
When does Ramadan actually start?
The Muslim day starts at sunset and continues to sunset. Sightings for the new moon are taken at sunset and when sighted the month of Ramadan has started. Fasting begins later in the Muslim day at sunrise. Thus if Ramadan starts on June 6th then it is the sighting of the new moon at sunset on June 5th that marks the official start. Tha actual start date may be different due to the fact that we live on a globe and it takes 24 hours to rotate on its axis! The dates quoted are for Qatar.
Are there exceptions to the rules?
There are exceptions to fasting rules such as the aged, sick, pregnant women, travellers, etc.
Some branches of Islam demand payment of a fine or a penance, such as feeding the poor, for breaking the fast whilst other branches do not. In some branches of Islam travellers may voluntarily choose to continue fasting whilst other branches forbid fasting whilst travelling.
When does Fasting take place?
Most agree that the times of fasting are from Sunrise to Sunset. Others use Dawn and Dusk. The latter could cause serious health problems for those who live at latitude 48.5 or greater. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight for an explanation.
How does Ramadan affect QR?
QR adheres to the rules of Ramadan as required by the State of Qatar.
Food is always available inside the airport and on all flights. This is because of the traveller rules.
Non alcoholic drinks are always available both in the airport and on all flights.
Alcohol is NOT available at Hamad International Airport either inside or outside the airport buildings, even at the Airport hotel. However in 2023 alcohol was being served in at least the Al Safwa and Al Mourjan airport lounges. At the moment it is not known if this also applied to other lounges. Pleas look at this years postings to see other lounges also served alcohol.
Alcohol is not available on most flights to/from muslim countries. Certain muslim countries, such as Malaysia, are regarded as multicultural countries and the in-flight alcohol ban does not apply. On all other flights to/from DOH alcohol is available after departure. The cabin crew decide when departure is. For some it is when you board the aircraft, for others closing the doors, others pushback and yet others after take-off. Where alcohol is permitted on the flight then it will be served by the glass, the bottle remaining in the galley. Pre departure alcoholic drinks as well as in flight drinks will normally be served on flights to/from DOH where alcohol is permitted. There may be exceptions. In 2023 AMM, AUH and SHJ served alcohol, on flights, at least some of the time. The AMM lounge also served alcohol. (See post 382)
In every respect, other than alcohol, service is unchanged throughout QR. BUT where alcohol is available it is not normally on display, but served by the glass from the bar or galley and sometimes needs to be requested..
Duty free alcohol is available at QDF. But there may be restrictions such as delivery to the aircraft door.
How does Ramadan affect The State of Qatar?
If you leave the airport during Ramadan please remember
1) the sale and public consumption of Alcohol is banned by law during Ramadan. In several, but not all, hotels alcohol may be obtained by residents from room service.
2) It is extremely offensive, and in some Muslim countries, including Qatar, a criminal offence, to be seen eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during the period of fasting.
According to https://discoverqatar.qatarairways.c...madan/overview
"If you need to drink or eat, please do so in the privacy of your own room or in a place where you won’t be seen."
If you need to eat or drink please do it discretely and out of sight of others.
Want to know more?
If you want more information then http://marhaba.qa/ramadan-dos-and-donts-in-qatar/ is specific to Qatar. If you are also interested in health issues then A_guide_to_healthy_fasting is worth looking at, not only for health issues.
This Wiki and thread is about how Ramadan affects QR passengers.
Thanks are due to IAN-UK, Lobengula, RUN4FUN, sharp5flat9, SullyofDoha, VH-RMD and others for help in making this as accurate as possible.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
Ramadan is a holy month to Muslims and also a joyous and spiritual time. I am concentrating upon that which most affects Non-Muslim QR passengers during Ramadan.
When is Ramadan?
Because the Muslim´calendar is a lunar calendar the date in the Gregorian, or solar, calendar changes every year. Each year it is about 11 days earlier than the previous year.
Ramadan 2017 was 27 May to 25 June.
Ramadan 2018 was16 May to 14 June.
Ramadan 2019 was 6 May to 4 June.
Ramadan 2020 was 24 April to 23 May.
Ramadan 2021 was 12 April to 11 May.
Ramadan 2022 was 2 April to 2 May.
Ramadan 2023 wss 22 March to 23 April.
Ramadan 2024 is 10 March to 9 April.
Ramadan 2025 is 1 March to 30 March.
Ramadan 2026 is 18 February to 19 March.
Ramadan 2027 is 8 February to 9 March.
When does Ramadan actually start?
The Muslim day starts at sunset and continues to sunset. Sightings for the new moon are taken at sunset and when sighted the month of Ramadan has started. Fasting begins later in the Muslim day at sunrise. Thus if Ramadan starts on June 6th then it is the sighting of the new moon at sunset on June 5th that marks the official start. Tha actual start date may be different due to the fact that we live on a globe and it takes 24 hours to rotate on its axis! The dates quoted are for Qatar.
Are there exceptions to the rules?
There are exceptions to fasting rules such as the aged, sick, pregnant women, travellers, etc.
Some branches of Islam demand payment of a fine or a penance, such as feeding the poor, for breaking the fast whilst other branches do not. In some branches of Islam travellers may voluntarily choose to continue fasting whilst other branches forbid fasting whilst travelling.
When does Fasting take place?
Most agree that the times of fasting are from Sunrise to Sunset. Others use Dawn and Dusk. The latter could cause serious health problems for those who live at latitude 48.5 or greater. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight for an explanation.
How does Ramadan affect QR?
QR adheres to the rules of Ramadan as required by the State of Qatar.
Food is always available inside the airport and on all flights. This is because of the traveller rules.
Non alcoholic drinks are always available both in the airport and on all flights.
Alcohol is NOT available at Hamad International Airport either inside or outside the airport buildings, even at the Airport hotel. However in 2023 alcohol was being served in at least the Al Safwa and Al Mourjan airport lounges. At the moment it is not known if this also applied to other lounges. Pleas look at this years postings to see other lounges also served alcohol.
Alcohol is not available on most flights to/from muslim countries. Certain muslim countries, such as Malaysia, are regarded as multicultural countries and the in-flight alcohol ban does not apply. On all other flights to/from DOH alcohol is available after departure. The cabin crew decide when departure is. For some it is when you board the aircraft, for others closing the doors, others pushback and yet others after take-off. Where alcohol is permitted on the flight then it will be served by the glass, the bottle remaining in the galley. Pre departure alcoholic drinks as well as in flight drinks will normally be served on flights to/from DOH where alcohol is permitted. There may be exceptions. In 2023 AMM, AUH and SHJ served alcohol, on flights, at least some of the time. The AMM lounge also served alcohol. (See post 382)
In every respect, other than alcohol, service is unchanged throughout QR. BUT where alcohol is available it is not normally on display, but served by the glass from the bar or galley and sometimes needs to be requested..
Duty free alcohol is available at QDF. But there may be restrictions such as delivery to the aircraft door.
How does Ramadan affect The State of Qatar?
If you leave the airport during Ramadan please remember
1) the sale and public consumption of Alcohol is banned by law during Ramadan. In several, but not all, hotels alcohol may be obtained by residents from room service.
2) It is extremely offensive, and in some Muslim countries, including Qatar, a criminal offence, to be seen eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during the period of fasting.
According to https://discoverqatar.qatarairways.c...madan/overview
"If you need to drink or eat, please do so in the privacy of your own room or in a place where you won’t be seen."
If you need to eat or drink please do it discretely and out of sight of others.
Want to know more?
If you want more information then http://marhaba.qa/ramadan-dos-and-donts-in-qatar/ is specific to Qatar. If you are also interested in health issues then A_guide_to_healthy_fasting is worth looking at, not only for health issues.
This Wiki and thread is about how Ramadan affects QR passengers.
Thanks are due to IAN-UK, Lobengula, RUN4FUN, sharp5flat9, SullyofDoha, VH-RMD and others for help in making this as accurate as possible.
Ramadan Master Thread - 10 March 2024 to 9 April 2024
Apr 25, 2016, 6:52 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
As a non-muslim AND a traveller, you are not expected to fast. But you should respect those who are fasting.
Politeness and common sense suggest you should not eat or drink in front of those who are not eating or drinking, and that would extend to not flaunting food or drink in front of them.
Jun 5, 2016, 8:28 pm
#47
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
5am on 6 June and I can confirm that the lovely displays of wine and spirits in the Al Mourjan bar have been replaced by, errr, fruit juice
Ramadan Mubarak to those of you observing
Ramadan Mubarak to those of you observing
Jun 5, 2016, 9:48 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,727
This is going to be a big problem in male!
Even if you are fasting, of course you should drink if there is a health issue!
As a non-muslim AND a traveller, you are not expected to fast. But you should respect those who are fasting.
Politeness and common sense suggest you should not eat or drink in front of those who are not eating or drinking, and that would extend to not flaunting food or drink in front of them.
As a non-muslim AND a traveller, you are not expected to fast. But you should respect those who are fasting.
Politeness and common sense suggest you should not eat or drink in front of those who are not eating or drinking, and that would extend to not flaunting food or drink in front of them.
Jun 6, 2016, 4:55 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 79
Juice freshly squeezed one hopes..
Connecting in three weeks or so via DOH on QR in J, landing shortly before sunset so looking forward to breaking my fast in the lounge.
I remain bemused at any upset by those not fasting eating or drinking in public as, well, not fasting.. I had to decline coffee made for me at a meeting this morning but encouraged others to drink their own.
Perhaps heretofore overwhelming Muslim population in Qatar led to such being a well nigh non existent phenomenon and decrees but to maintain status quo. Alcohol absence nonetheless certainly welcome.
Jun 7, 2016, 2:32 am
#50
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Great Britain
Programs: Air: QR Silver. BA Silver Emirates, Hotels: CC Gold, IHG Spire AMB, Hilton Diamond.
Posts: 1,487
Another example of religion crushing personal choice :-(
Shame we won't get partial refunds given we will now get less for our money :-(
Shame we won't get partial refunds given we will now get less for our money :-(
Last edited by Sisyphus1carus; Jun 7, 2016 at 2:41 am
Jun 7, 2016, 4:53 am
#51
Join Date: May 2001
Location: PHL
Programs: AA CK, DL GM, Bonvoy Ambassador, HH DIA
Posts: 187
While, I tend to agree, but willing to respect cultural norms, it sucks that you don't get warning of this before purchasing a ticket. I would have flown BA.
Jun 7, 2016, 12:04 pm
#52
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA / San Francisco, CA
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite Plus
Posts: 1,150
I flew QR last year during Ramadan and alcohol on board was served, but not visible.
How about the bar onboard the 380? Will they still serve full range of drinks (and is Krug still available there?)
Last year I spent a 12 hour connection at the newly-opened (oh yeah......) Emerald lounge which was dry and godawful. This year I booked an Iftar @ the St. Regis. Hope my connection this time isn't as ridiculously bad as last time
How about the bar onboard the 380? Will they still serve full range of drinks (and is Krug still available there?)
Last year I spent a 12 hour connection at the newly-opened (oh yeah......) Emerald lounge which was dry and godawful. This year I booked an Iftar @ the St. Regis. Hope my connection this time isn't as ridiculously bad as last time
Jun 7, 2016, 12:21 pm
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
dera All lounges in HIA are dry during Ramadan as well as many regional flights.
The bar on the A380 will be open as usual after departure but no longer serves Krug.
Alcohol is only available in Qatar from room service at certain hotels.
Apart from the fact that Krug is normally only available in Al Safwa your questions are all answered on the Wiki on this thread.
The bar on the A380 will be open as usual after departure but no longer serves Krug.
Alcohol is only available in Qatar from room service at certain hotels.
Apart from the fact that Krug is normally only available in Al Safwa your questions are all answered on the Wiki on this thread.
Jun 7, 2016, 8:34 pm
#55
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,948
Just a quick Thank You to remdk for the thoroughness and helpfullness that the WIKI offers.
Well done^
M
Well done^
M
Jun 8, 2016, 6:44 am
#58
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
wideman The departure, or secure area, of the airport is a restricted area and since you are, by definition, travelling to be there the fasting rules do not apply but the alcohol ban still does.
There are no rules restricting eating or drinking but if someone is obviously fasting the it would be tactful to avoid sitting in front of them eating if it is possible.
In the areas where food is served I think it is safe to assume that any Muslim in those areas is not fasting.
There are no rules restricting eating or drinking but if someone is obviously fasting the it would be tactful to avoid sitting in front of them eating if it is possible.
In the areas where food is served I think it is safe to assume that any Muslim in those areas is not fasting.
Jun 8, 2016, 7:37 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Programs: AA EXP; United 1K, Delta, IHG Plat Amb, PE, Marriott/Hilton Gold
Posts: 749
STPC and Ramadan Questions:
We will be staying at Oryx Rotana on a PAID STPC later this month during Ramadan. Not a problem. In fact, interesting.
Looks like we will qualify for a meal voucher but no idea the amount. Any insight?
Also, it looks like the hotel has several reservable Iftar menus and locations. Will we be able to get into the restaurants without a reservation?
We would be happy to pay the balance if the set meals are higher but just wondering if the meal voucher will come close to covering the special meals.
I suppose I should also ask if, as a westerner, we would be welcome at these meals
Sorry if this post isn't strictly Ramadan but it crosses several topic areas so not sure where it fits
Thanks,
AJ
We will be staying at Oryx Rotana on a PAID STPC later this month during Ramadan. Not a problem. In fact, interesting.
Looks like we will qualify for a meal voucher but no idea the amount. Any insight?
Also, it looks like the hotel has several reservable Iftar menus and locations. Will we be able to get into the restaurants without a reservation?
We would be happy to pay the balance if the set meals are higher but just wondering if the meal voucher will come close to covering the special meals.
I suppose I should also ask if, as a westerner, we would be welcome at these meals
Sorry if this post isn't strictly Ramadan but it crosses several topic areas so not sure where it fits
Thanks,
AJ
Last edited by aj411; Jun 8, 2016 at 8:40 am
Jun 8, 2016, 9:16 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
(I completely forgot that it was Ramadan, after an overnighter into DOH).