Qatar: Ramadan celebrations begin May 26-27

Transportation disruptions are to be anticipated during this period due to an increased number of travelers, especially in airports. Heavy traffic after sundown (particularly on weekends) is to be anticipated as Muslims typically gather to celebrate the holy month with family. Furthermore, traffic accidents tend to increase during Ramadan (especially at dusk) due to a combination of exhaustion, hunger, dehydration, and impatience.

Local authorities typically report a heightened terrorism threat during the month of Ramadan, and increased security measures should be expected in major urban areas. Authorities also typically observe an increase in incidents of petty crime during this period.

The high number of expats in Qatar (particularly Westerners), in addition to the government's growing involvement in regional political affairs, increases the chance that the country could be targeted in a terror attack. However, Qatar's counter-terrorism unit has proven effective, since the last major attack against civilians occurred in 2005.

More generally, this period marks a significant increase in the regional terror threat in many Muslim-majority countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In recent years, Islamic State (IS), as well as other groups, have called on their fighters to perpetrate attacks during the holy month of Ramadan. On June 26, 2015, IS fighters killed 39 people in an attack targeting Sousse, Tunisia. The same day, a similar attack also claimed by IS targeted a Mosque during Friday's noon prayers in Kuwait City, killing 27 people. On June 21, 2016, members of Jordan’s security forces were killed in a car bomb. In Lebanon, a series of suicide attacks killed six people. In Turkey, on the evening of June 28, 2016, an attack carried out by three gunmen/suicide bombers was perpetrated at Istanbul-Atatürk International Airport (IST), leaving 44 people dead and scores more injured.

Due to poor regional security conditions, foreign nationals are advised to exercise caution while traveling to Qatar, particularly while in public places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. It is also advisable to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations as well as religious processions.