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
Mar 26, 2019, 6:30 pm
#256
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Atl-Doh
I’m flying from ATL-DOH during Ramadan. Will alcohol be served in economy class? I’m spending the night in Qatar. Will I be able to purchase alcohol at a 4-5 star hotel, even if it’s room service? I’m flying DOH-BLR the next day. Will alcohol be served on that flight?
Mar 26, 2019, 6:53 pm
#257
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Yep, You will have no problem being served on the plane. However, Qatar Airways can be stingy and they use the Ramadan excuse to not serve in their Doha Airport lounges during Ramadan...Even though you can buy booze for consumption in the retail restaurants in the airport. Also, they have no issue with you buying booze at their duty free on the way out of the country.
Mar 28, 2019, 5:03 am
#258
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
Mar 28, 2019, 5:17 pm
#259
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,944
KcCowan the Wiki on this thread says
" 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. Nor is it available on most flights to muslim countries (even as far as TUN and ALG). On all other flights 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 will normally be served on flights to DOH where alcohol is permitted. There may be exceptions.
In every respect, other than alcohol, service is unchanged throughout QR."
There are a number of Moslem countries, such as Malaysia, which are regarded as multicultural and alcohol will be served on those flights.
" 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. Nor is it available on most flights to muslim countries (even as far as TUN and ALG). On all other flights 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 will normally be served on flights to DOH where alcohol is permitted. There may be exceptions.
In every respect, other than alcohol, service is unchanged throughout QR."
There are a number of Moslem countries, such as Malaysia, which are regarded as multicultural and alcohol will be served on those flights.
Mar 29, 2019, 11:00 am
#260
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,219
When I fly into Dubai to visit my travelling companion during Ramadan, we always seek out a nice iftar. The more expensive ones are of better quality. FWIW, QR has a special "Iftar meal" on it's evening flights out of DOH. A very nicely decorated box and meal. Nice dates if memory serves me - they should be eaten first to break the fast.
Apr 29, 2019, 5:07 am
#261
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: USA
Programs: AA-CK, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,449
Transiting DOH May 5 -Ramadan
I understand from the Wiki that during Ramadan no alcohol is to be served at the airport.
However, when on the 5th does it happen? My guess it is at sundown on the 5th.
On a couple of non-FT sites there have been reports that in the lounges they will discreetly serve passenger drinks - is that true? I'll be in the AS lounge if it matters.
On those same sites it mentions that you can order drinks at the restaurants in the airport - this does not seem likely to me. Can anyone confirm?
However, when on the 5th does it happen? My guess it is at sundown on the 5th.
On a couple of non-FT sites there have been reports that in the lounges they will discreetly serve passenger drinks - is that true? I'll be in the AS lounge if it matters.
On those same sites it mentions that you can order drinks at the restaurants in the airport - this does not seem likely to me. Can anyone confirm?
Apr 29, 2019, 10:44 am
#263
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
I understand from the Wiki that during Ramadan no alcohol is to be served at the airport.
However, when on the 5th does it happen? My guess it is at sundown on the 5th.
On a couple of non-FT sites there have been reports that in the lounges they will discreetly serve passenger drinks - is that true? I'll be in the AS lounge if it matters.
On those same sites it mentions that you can order drinks at the restaurants in the airport - this does not seem likely to me. Can anyone confirm?
However, when on the 5th does it happen? My guess it is at sundown on the 5th.
On a couple of non-FT sites there have been reports that in the lounges they will discreetly serve passenger drinks - is that true? I'll be in the AS lounge if it matters.
On those same sites it mentions that you can order drinks at the restaurants in the airport - this does not seem likely to me. Can anyone confirm?
My understanding is that the public consumption of alcohol is illegal in the State of Qatar during Ramadan, so I highly doubt the airport restaurants will be serving alcohol. I'm flying on the 6th and would recommend expecting you will not be getting an alcoholic drink at DOH if you are there after sundown on the 5th. Think of it as a chance to detox before your next sector
.
Apr 29, 2019, 11:23 am
#264
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum; Accor Le Club Platinum
Posts: 1,077
If memory serves me correctly, last year, the public restaurant bars in the airport were serving booze while the lounges went dry. This seemed more like a cost cutting measure by Qatar Airways using Ramadan as a cover for its actions.
Apr 29, 2019, 1:23 pm
#265
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: USA
Programs: AA-CK, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,449
believe it's at sundown on the 5th, yes.
My understanding is that the public consumption of alcohol is illegal in the State of Qatar during Ramadan, so I highly doubt the airport restaurants will be serving alcohol. I'm flying on the 6th and would recommend expecting you will not be getting an alcoholic drink at DOH if you are there after sundown on the 5th. Think of it as a chance to detox before your next sector.
My understanding is that the public consumption of alcohol is illegal in the State of Qatar during Ramadan, so I highly doubt the airport restaurants will be serving alcohol. I'm flying on the 6th and would recommend expecting you will not be getting an alcoholic drink at DOH if you are there after sundown on the 5th. Think of it as a chance to detox before your next sector
.I arrive at 23:50 from BKK on the 5th with an 8 hour layover - look for the grumpy guy in the AS lounge!
Apr 29, 2019, 1:24 pm
#266
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: USA
Programs: AA-CK, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,449
Apr 29, 2019, 1:45 pm
#267
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
If you are right, I stand corrected! Happy to report back on 6th if no one else does.
Apr 29, 2019, 3:41 pm
#269
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 2,334
I understand from the Wiki that during Ramadan no alcohol is to be served at the airport.
However, when on the 5th does it happen? My guess it is at sundown on the 5th.
On a couple of non-FT sites there have been reports that in the lounges they will discreetly serve passenger drinks - is that true? I'll be in the AS lounge if it matters.
On those same sites it mentions that you can order drinks at the restaurants in the airport - this does not seem likely to me. Can anyone confirm?
However, when on the 5th does it happen? My guess it is at sundown on the 5th.
On a couple of non-FT sites there have been reports that in the lounges they will discreetly serve passenger drinks - is that true? I'll be in the AS lounge if it matters.
On those same sites it mentions that you can order drinks at the restaurants in the airport - this does not seem likely to me. Can anyone confirm?
Btw, latest is that Ramadan will probably start on the 6th based on the UAE moonsighting committee.