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  3. Going overseas for a major event
  4. Ramadan

Ramadan

Last Updated
Thursday, 13/02/2025
""

Explore this page to learn:

  • countries that celebrate Ramadan
  • dates for Ramadan
  • local laws and customs during Ramadan
  • Eid al-Fitr, after Ramadan

See our general information and advice on staying safe and staying within law. Also, read our travel advisory for your destination.

Countries that celebrate Ramadan

Most of the world's 2 billion Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan each year.

Ramadan is the most important month on the Islamic calendar. It's the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. During Ramadan, Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset.

You can expect to find Ramadan being observed in countries where Islam is the national religion.

You may also come across Ramadan being observed in other destinations with Muslim populations. In some destinations, only certain regions are predominantly Muslim.

Dates for Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around 28 February 2025. 

The exact dates of Ramadan depend on the sightings of the moon. This can vary from country to country. Seek local advice for the country you're visiting.

Local laws and customs around Ramadan

If you're travelling to a country with a large Muslim community, respect religious and cultural sensitivities, rules and customs.

During Ramadan, the following activities may be illegal in public during the day:

  • eating
  • drinking
  • smoking

Even if you're not fasting, avoid these around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Getting around during Ramadan

At the end of the day, families and friends often meet to break their fast. This may run late into the night.

In the evening, traffic can become congested. Plan your trip accordingly.

Between sunrise and sunset, the following venues may close, or operate with shorter opening hours or less staff:

  • restaurants
  • tourist facilities
  • government agencies
  • courts
  • shops and other businesses.

Seek local advice about business hours and closures and plan accordingly.

Be aware of your surroundings

Major religious events can attract large crowds. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places or mass gatherings. Stay safe and be vigilant in large crowds.

Read the travel advice for your destination and know the local safety risks. Keep an eye on current events in your destination. Monitor local and international media for information about possible safety or security risks.

Eid al-Fitr

The end of Ramadan is usually a busy period in Muslim countries. People traditionally visit their families to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the 3-day festival marking the end of the fast.

One or more of these days may be a public holiday.

Plan ahead if you're travelling at this time. Roads and public transport can be congested. Flights are often fully booked.

Read more

  • Read the travel advisory for your destination.
  • See general advice getting around and staying within the law.
  • If you break the local law, you could be arrested or jailed.
  • Understand how and when we can help. Read the Consular Services Charter.

See also

  • Find an embassy or consulate overseas (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)

 

Related content

Hajj

Explore this page for information about staying safe and secure during the Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah (Mecca).

View details
Major cultural events
View details
Major sporting events
View details

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Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

To report a vulnerability you’ve identified on this website or to find out more about the department’s Vulnerability Disclosure Policy visit the DFAT website

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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  • Home
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Getting a foreign visa
      • Travel insurance
      • CHOICE travel insurance buying guide
    • Who you are
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      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
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      • Marriage
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      • Sports and adventure
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    • Major events
      • Cultural events
        • Travel overseas for Anzac Day
      • Religious events
        • Travel overseas for Ramadan
        • Travel overseas for Hajj
      • Sporting events
        • Rugby League Las Vegas 2025
    • Health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Going overseas for a medical procedure
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medication and medical equipment
      • Mental health
      • Organ transplant tourism
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health care agreements
      • What happens if you die overseas
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Protests and civil unrest
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • Africa
    • Americas
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    • Europe
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    • Pacific
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
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    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent help
  • Our services
    • Consular State of Play
      • Data
      • Case studies
      • Images
      • Videos
      • Audio
      • Historical data
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • 영사 서비스 헌장 (Korean)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Quy định về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • 한국어 (Korean)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Crises
    • News and updates
    • Notarial services
      • Documents we can legalise
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
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    • Resources
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
    • Subscription
    • Travel advice explained
    • Voting overseas