The Ramadan experience this year will once again be a mixture of tradition and adaptation to unique conditions. Here is a quick round-up of ways to make it as special and safe as possible.
Covid guidelines
– Avoid social gatherings: bring your guests to the table via Zoom, Google Meet, Botim….
– Ignore Iftar tents: book in restaurants or order in instead
– Respect social distancing protocols in mosques: better pray at home and stream sermons
There’s an app for that
Here are the most popular apps (biggest/fastest growing) to improve your Ramadan experience:
– Food: Talabat (top)/Deliveroo (hot)
– Grocery: Instashop (top)/NowNow by noon (hot)
– Religion: Khatmah – ختمة (top)/Golden Quran – المصحف (hot)
– Charity: Impact-Steps for a cause (top)/WowApp – Earn. Share. Do Good (hot)
– Streaming: Netflix (top)/Shahid – ﺷﺎﻫﺪ (hot)
– Gaming: Garena Free Fire – The Cobra (top)/Pubg Mobile – Karakin (hot)
– Podcasts: Drum Pad Machine – Beat Maker (top)/Anghami: Music & Podcasts (hot)
– Shopping: Amazon (top)/noon (hot)
– Wellbeing: MyFitnessPal (top)/Daily Workouts Fitness Trainer (hot)
– Gifting: YouGotaGift (top)/ Floward Online Flowers & Gifts (hot)
Time well spent
Last year’s Ramadan was the first one with social restrictions. We saw:
– 100% increase in Qibla Finder app downloads
– 1000% increase in “quick recipe” searches week on week during Ramadan
– 78% increase in grocery delivery app downloads (YoY first two weeks)
– 13% increase in e-commerce app downloads (YoY first two weeks)
– 37% increase in entertainment app downloads (YoY first two weeks)
– >50% of MENA users’ time spent on online entertainment
Ramadan in numbers
Some important figures about this year’s Ramadan in the UAE:
– There are about 4 million Muslims in the UAE
– The fast will last about 14 hours per day
– With your help, Dubai plans to give away 100 million meals
– Some 30,000 products will be discounted by up to 75% this Ramadan
– 91% of UAE with at least one vaccine shot as the Holy Month begins
When and where to eat in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Curtains are off this year revealing the best dining experiences whether you fast or not. Here are restaurants open during the day as well as for iftar. Prefer cooking but like convenience too? How about cooking along with a Jumeirah chef by ordering one of the hotel chain’s meal kits.
Charity begins online
With the advice being to avoid donation tents, don’t let Covid stop you from spreading kindness. There are many ways to do good from the comfort of your sofa.
Perfect time to explore
Whether you’re ready for retail therapy or simply going out, here are some suggestions on what to do this Ramadan.
The whole MEmob+ team wishes you a safe, blessed and data-enriched Ramadan
