Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Municipality has unveiled its plans for the holy month of Ramadan, outlining the working hours and service schedules. A focused effort is underway to monitor food establishments, especially those experiencing significant demand, to ensure adherence to health standards and required regulations.

Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, the Director General of Sharjah Municipality affirmed that the municipality has developed comprehensive and transparent strategies for welcoming Ramadan. All relevant departments are geared up to provide services and address public concerns. The municipality is conducting heightened inspections across various municipal domains to curtail negative behaviours and maintain a positive public image, taking necessary administrative and legal actions as needed.

Al Tunaiji explained that inspection teams are rigorously overseeing food establishments in the city, particularly with the addition of 60 inspectors from the local workforce who have been trained for the municipality's supervisory role. The municipality plans to execute seven major inspection campaigns during Ramadan, including checks on permits for displaying food outside establishments, issuance of permits for services to non-Muslim communities during the holy month, inspections of places displaying and storing food, scrutiny of bakeries, popular kitchens, sweet shops, and monitoring food establishments during the celebration of the middle of Sha'ban.

Highlighting the intensified inspection campaigns, Al Tunaiji stressed the focus on curbing negative behaviours, especially in popular green areas where the public enjoys the beautiful winter atmosphere. Stringent legal and administrative measures will be taken against violations, particularly those involving improper waste disposal. Inspection teams will monitor and follow up on green areas in various locations, ensuring compliance with extended working hours for commercial establishments, subject to necessary permits from the inspection and control department.

The Director-General also mentioned that public parking fees during Ramadan will be applicable from 8 AM to midnight. Public parking inspection teams will ensure compliance with fees and prevent misuse of parking spaces. Parking around mosques will be free for one hour after the call to prayer, facilitating public access.

To ensure the continued provision of public services, the municipality has established working hours for its service centers, communicating schedules for all services in both Arabic and English through social media accounts. Public parks will be open to visitors from 4 PM to midnight throughout the week.

The Director-General emphasised that the 993 contact center operates 24/7, receiving public feedback, calls, complaints, and inquiries throughout the week. The centre promptly addresses issues by redirecting them to the relevant departments, encouraging the public to communicate for any feedback or to report negative behaviours.