According to article 313 of the Federal Penal Code, the punishment for eating or drinking during daytime in the holy month is a maximum Dh2,000 fine or a maximum of one-month imprisonment. “This action is prohibited by the law under the offense against religious faith and rituals. The law applies to Muslim and non-Muslim, male or female,”

Visitors to the UAE for the first time, will be advised and make them aware that we don’t do that during Ramadan in public. But if the person is a resident in the UAE for a long time, we make a report and transfer the case to the public prosecution.” Maj Al Shihi said that officers rarely arrested people for breaking rules regarding eating and drinking in public as people now have a good knowledge and awareness about the UAE’s culture and beliefs, and of the holy month.