Sharjah Municipality has started issuing permits for food preparation and sales during the daytime hours of Ramadan. This includes permits for displaying food outside stores before Iftar. The holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on March 1, according to astronomical calculations. However, the exact date will depend on the moon sighting. Ramadan is anticipated to last for 30 days.
In an official announcement, the municipality stated that the permits, which come with a Dh500 fee, apply to various food establishments. These include restaurants, cafeterias, bakeries, sweet shops, and shopping malls.
The conditions for obtaining these permits include restricting food preparation to kitchens and prohibiting in-house dining. Additionally, food must be displayed on the sidewalk in non-corrosive containers within sealed glass boxes. The food must be properly covered using food-grade materials and stored at the correct temperature to ensure safety and hygiene.
For those wishing to prepare food during fasting hours, the municipality has outlined specific requirements.
- Food Preparation and Sale Permit:
This permit applies to all food establishments, including those located in shopping malls. The main conditions include serving food off-site (no in-house dining), ensuring food preparation occurs exclusively in kitchens, and complying with food safety regulations.
Permit fee: Dh3,000. - Permit for Displaying Food Before Iftar:
This permit is available for restaurants, cafeterias, bakeries, and sweet shops. The food must be displayed on the front sidewalk, as long as the area is not sandy. Display it in non-corrosive metal containers. The containers must be enclosed in a glass box, at least 100 cm high, with a sliding or hinged door. The food should be covered with aluminium foil or transparent, food-grade plastic. It must be stored at an appropriate temperature, but not frozen or chilled.
Permit fee: Dh500.
To assist with the permit process, several service centers across Sharjah are available. Residents and businesses can apply for the required permits at these centers. These centers include the Municipal Drawing Center, Tasareeh Center, Al Raqam Wahed Center, Municipality 24 Center, Al Saqr Center, Al Rolla Center, Al Khalidiya Center, Al Surah and Al Diqah Center, Saif Center, Al Malomat Center, Al Saada Center, and Tawjeeh Center.
