Tanzania: Ramadan to begin May 26-27

Event

On May 26-27 (depending on the moon), Muslims will begin their month-long celebration of Ramadan. The end of the month of Ramadan, marked by the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, will take place on June 25. Many businesses, restaurants, and government administrations are expected to operate on a reduced schedule during this holy month. Diplomatic missions may also operate on a similar schedule.

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

Tight security measures are also to be expected due to a heightened terror threat in the region. Local authorities also typically observe an increase in incidents of petty crime during this period.

Context

Ramadan is a period of reflection and self-restraint and carries great significance within the Muslim calendar. Muslims traditionally observe daytime fasting and are called to practice increased devotion.

Although Tanzania’s religious representation is relatively evenly divided between Animists, Christians and Muslims (approximately 30 percent each), semi-autonomous Zanzibar is predominantly Muslim; 99 percent of the archipelago population is Muslim. As the tourism period generally coincides with Ramadan, individuals are advised to be sensitive to local customs, including wearing appropriate clothing.

Advice

Individuals in Tanzania are advised to avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public in Muslim-majority areas by day during this period. Travelers are also advised to allow additional time for travel and to avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering.

On the Zanzibar Archipelago, it is advisable to maintain a low profile at all times and to stay away from places of worship.

More generally, due to the risk of terrorist activity, individuals currently present in Tanzania should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities and be especially cautious when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). The majority of Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the eastern province of Kigoma (along the Burundian border) due to an unstable political and health environment, as well as to the Rwandan border (Kagera province).