Sharjah authority announced the initiation of issuing the necessary permits for food outlets during Ramadan

In order to prepare and serve food during the daylight hours of Ramadan, shops and restaurants need to apply for permissions from the Sharjah City Municipality. According to the most recent astronomical predictions, the Islamic holy month is predicted to start on Tuesday, March 12, and last for the entire 30 days. 

The authorities declared on Tuesday that the process of granting the required permits for food outlets had begun. This rule also applies to restaurants housed inside shopping centres and malls.

The Sharjah Municipality states that establishments such as cafeterias, restaurants, pastry shops, and confectioneries who wish to exhibit food outside of their establishments before iftar must get permits.

Two types of permits are required:

• One permit is for use during the day to prepare food by presenting it. 
• Another permit is for snack stalls outside restaurants right before iftar. 

The conditions that food outlets must adhere to are as follows:

Food preparation and sale permit required during daytime:

• Permit issuance fee: Dh3000.
• Food must be served off-site
• Receiving customers in the dining area is not allowed.
• Food preparation and cooking are only allowed inside kitchens.

Food display permit for sale outside shops before iftar:

• Permit issuance fee: Dh500
• Food must be displayed on the front sidewalk (provided it's not sandy).
• Food must be stored at an appropriate temperature (not chilled or frozen).
• Food must be placed in non-corrosive metal containers and displayed in a glass box (no less than 100 cm) with a sliding or hinged door.
• Food must be covered with aluminium foil or transparent food-grade plastic, using food-grade packaging materials.
• The displayed food must be prepared at the establishment according to its permitted activity.
• The establishment shall prepare the food on display by its approved activity.

Service channel through which eateries can get permits:

• Municipality 24 centre
• Al Khalidiya centre
• Al Suraa Wa Al Diqah centre
• 4Al Nasiriyah center (Municipality drawing studio)
• Tasareeh centre
• Al Raqam Wahid centre
• Al Malomat Centre - Branch 3
• Al Saada centre
• Tawjeeh centre