Islamic lifestyle UAE

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Islamic lifestyle UAE: Islamic culture in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the core foundation that shapes the social life, laws, traditions and lifestyle of its people. Here is an overview of Islamic culture in the UAE:

Muslim population in UAE
Muslim population in UAE

About 74‑76% of the UAE’s total population is Muslim.

Here are a few details:

  • Most of the Muslims are Sunni, while Shia make up a smaller portion.
  • Because a large part of the UAE population are expatriates (non‑citizens), the absolute number of Muslims includes many migrant workers and residents of various backgrounds.

If you want, I can try to find the latest official number (not just percentage) of Muslims in the UAE

Here are the main Muslim holidays in UAE:

Muslim Holidays in UAE
Muslim Holidays in UAE

1. Eid al-Fitr

  • Marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
  • Celebrated with prayers, feasting, giving charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and social gatherings.

2. Eid al-Adha

  • Known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.
  • Includes special prayers, animal sacrifices (usually sheep or goats), and charity.

3. Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)

  • Marks the beginning of the new Islamic lunar calendar year.
  • Observed with religious reflections and prayers.

4. Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday)

  • Commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
  • Observed with religious lectures, prayers, and sometimes public celebrations.

The exact dates of these holidays vary each year because the Islamic calendar is lunar, so the holidays move about 10-12 days earlier every Gregorian year.

Muslim culture in UAE
Muslim culture in UAE

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1. Main religion and role of Islamic lifestyle UAE

  • Islam is the state religion of the UAE, with the majority of the population following Sunni Islam , and a small percentage following Shia Islam .
  • Sharia law (Islamic law) has a major influence on the legal system, especially in matters of marriage, family, inheritance and social morality.
  • The official day of rest is Friday – the Muslim holy day (Jumu’ah), reserved for prayers at the mosque (masjid) .

2. Religious customs Islamic lifestyle UAE

Religious customs Muslim in UAE
Religious customs Muslim in UAE

Prayer (Salat)

  • Muslims pray 5 times a day .
  • Mosques are everywhere, and at prayer time, the azan (call to prayer) is blared from loudspeakers.

Ramadan

  • Is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
  • Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset , abstain from water, tobacco and sexual intercourse during the day.
  • After sunset, they eat Iftar , which is often an occasion for community and family gatherings.
  • Visitors are advised to respect the fast by not eating/drinking in public during the day.

Major holidays

  • Eid al-Fitr – the end of Ramadan.
  • Eid al-Adha – the festival of sacrifice, commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham (Ibrahim).

3. Influence on clothing and behavior Islamic lifestyle UAE

Influence on clothing and behavior Muslim in UAE
Influence on clothing and behavior Muslim in UAE
  • The traditional dress of the UAE people is an expression of Islamic culture:
    • Men usually wear a kandura (white robe) and ghutra (head scarf) .
    • Women wear abaya (black robe) and often cover themselves with hijab or niqab.
  • Tourists are advised to dress modestly, especially in public, religious or traditional settings.

4. Social behavior according to Islamic lifestyle UAE

  • Do not drink alcohol in public , and only in licensed premises (for non-Muslims).
  • Sex outside of marriage is prohibited , and this can be criminally punished.
  • Public displays of affection (such as kissing and hugging) are inappropriate and even prohibited.
  • Respect for gender : communication between male and female strangers is usually kept at a distance and moderate.

5. Education and propagation of Islamic lifestyle UAE

Education and propagation of Muslim in UAE
Education and propagation of Muslim in UAE
  • Public schools teach Islamic teachings as part of their curriculum.
  • There are many Islamic cultural centers, such as the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Center in Dubai, where tourists can learn about Islam and Arab culture.

6. Religious tolerance within the framework of Islamic lifestyle UAE

  • Despite being a Muslim country, the UAE is relatively open and tolerant :
    • Allows the construction of Catholic churches, Hindu temples, Sikh temples…
    • Non-Muslims are free to practice their religion within the framework of the law.

If you want, I can provide more about:

  • The role of women in Islamic culture in the UAE
  • The influence of Islamic culture on UAE art, cuisine, and architecture
  • Compare Islamic culture in UAE with other Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye…

Which section do you need more in depth?

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