The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has warned UK tourists to not cause ‘offence’ by eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during Ramadan daytime hours in Dubai, Turkey and Egypt.
The holy month is expected to begin on either February 28 or March 1, 2025, lasting for approximately 29 to 30 days. During Ramadan Muslims abstain from food, drink, and smoking from dawn to sunset. This includes chewing gum and they also pray five times a day.
FCDO updated its travel advice for these areas yesterday, February 5.
Tourists were advised to seek specific local guidance from their tour operators, hotels or business contacts upon arrival for detailed information about observances in their destination.
The FCDO said: “During this time, it may cause offence if you eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car, or play loud music or dance and swear in public”.
Those jetting off to these countries are being advised to check opening hours of shops and restaurants and to follow the local dress codes as clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time .
Tourists should also be aware that they may be separated from Islamic guests, for example with screens, if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours.
These measures are designed to respect those who are fasting whilst accommodating tourists and non-fasting visitors.
The FCDO also warned that driving conditions may become more challenging, particularly around sunset when people are going home to break their fast.
Tourists are advised to “be patient and show tolerance – fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the late afternoon and early evening”.
In other travel news, The Foreign Office has warned against “all but essential” travel to parts of Mexico due to safety concerns. It comes as US tourists have also been told not to travel to multiple Mexican cities due to “increasingly frequent gun battles”.
Warnings from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) regarding the North American country that were set in October were ruled “still current” today.
