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  4. Ramadan

Ramadan

Last Updated
Thursday, 09/03/2023
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Most of the world's 1.6 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.

Explore this page to learn:

  • where Ramadan is celebrated
  • dates for Ramadan
  • local laws and customs during Ramadan
  • Eid-ul-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 universally celebrate Ramadan

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

You may also come across Ramadan celebrations 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 22 March 2023. 

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

If you're not fasting, avoid these around people who are fasting. 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-ul-Fitr

The end of Ramadan is usually a busy period in Muslim countries. People traditionally visit their families to celebrate Eid-ul-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 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

Major sporting events
View details
Hajj

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

View details
Major religious 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

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Europe and the Schengen Area
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
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      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
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      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
        • Ramadan
        • Hajj
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • 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
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Karta ng Mga Serbisyo sa Konsulado (Filipino)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Hiến Chương về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement