Most people say that Aqaba is one of the friendliest city to visit jordan during ramadan ,especially for those who are interested in learning more about Middle Eastern cultures and way of life. Nevertheless, arranging a trip becomes more difficult for one lunar cycle each year since the 96% of Muslims observe Ramadan and its associated limitations.
Ramadan is a great time to visit to Aqaba, but there are a few things to bear in mind. You must make reservations for excursions and meals and practice being a more culturally aware visitor than usual if you want to see the City of Aqaba during Ramadan. Assuming you are not a Muslim, Jordanians are unlikely to criticize you if you breach Ramadan customs, but by changing your own conduct while there during Ramadan, you will strengthen the bond between Jordanian and your own cultures.
Do They Celebrate Ramadan in Jordan?
Many visitors to the popular Middle Eastern destination are uncertain if Jordanians observe Ramadan. Indeed, it is the solution. Aqaba, a city with a large Muslim population, observes Ramadan, and its people follow the customary religious customs.
Let me first give a basic explanation of what Ramadan is and what it means to the people before we get into the specific factors visitors to Jordan should take into account when going during this holy month.
Ramadan, often spelled Ramadhan or Ramzan, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar during which Muslims all around the globe observe a sawm, or 24-hour fast, from dawn to dusk. They also refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, and having sexual relations while they are fasting.
The festival, which is one of Islam’s Five Pillars, begins with the first sighting of the crescent moon and lasts for 29 or 30 days. Muslims see the latter third of Ramadan as having the highest spiritual value because it marks the occasion when the angel Jibrl (Gabriel in English) gave the Prophet Muhammad the first verses of the Koran (Qur’an).
When is Ramadan in Jordan?
The Islamic calendar’s ninth month is always when Ramadan takes place. Nevertheless, because Islam follows the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the solar one, the exact day changes every year. Ramadan so begins 10–12 days earlier each year.
Please note that these are only approximate dates; the actual dates of Ramadan will be established closer to the dates depending on the phases of the moon. In 2023, Ramadan will begin on Thursday, March 23, and finish on Saturday, April 22 in Jordan.
Tourist destinations Ramadan in Aqaba are open every day, and you can schedule trips to visit any of them just as you would at any other time of the year. Be aware that tour guides and drivers will be fasting and praying, so expect them to work fewer hours to accommodate these activities.
Also, you could notice that they don’t have as much energy.
One of the nicest things to do in Aqaba is to eat Jordanian food, but you might be concerned that you won’t be able to do so if it’s Ramadan and everyone is fasting.
Generally speaking, during Ramadan in Aqaba eateries are closed during the day. At popular tourist destinations and upscale hotels, you can always find eateries or grocery shops that are open and provide food to non-Muslims. Before the iftar meal, restaurants do stay open later to provide takeout.
You won’t locate any open booze outlets throughout Ramadan. The only places that are allowed to offer alcohol are hotels with bars, so finding one of them is your sole option for getting a drink.