H.E. Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, has issued a circular on the official working hours in Qatar during the holy month of Ramadan for the ministries, government agencies and public institutions.
The circular stated that on the advent of Ramadan for the Hijri year 1437 , officials decided that the working hours during the holy month for civil employees will be five hours a day. Three hours shorter than the usual eight-hour working day. Like the previous years, work day will start at 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.
Muslim people fast from sun up until sun down © Jude Freeman/Flickr
The exact start of Ramadan has yet to be announced, but most Muslim people are expected to begin their fasting around May 27. Average fasting day in Doha lasts for about 14 hours.
Though the five-hour workday does not apply to private agencies, Qatari law states that non-government employees must also have shortened workday of six hours. Private employees are advised to inquire from their employers regarding their work schedule for the month of Ramadan.