How Ramadan Is Changing In the Modern Arab World: Tech, Trends & Tradition

by Sana Bun

How Ramadan Is Changing In the Modern Arab World: Tech, Trends & Tradition

25 Dec 2025

Across the Middle East, people have begun to notice modern Ramadan trends that reshape the way the month is experienced while keeping its core values intact. Cities are more connected, routines are faster, and technology now plays a meaningful role in supporting prayer, fasting and daily organisation. These shifts don’t replace long-standing customs; instead, they introduce practical additions that explain how Ramadan is changing in communities that balance heritage with modern life. From the rise of Ramadan and technology tools to sustainability initiatives and new youth habits, the picture that emerges reflects a combination of continuity and thoughtful adaptation within modern Ramadan in the Arab world.

Technology shapes everyday routines

Digital tools have become one of the most visible elements of how Muslims use tech during Ramadan. Well-established apps such as Muslim Pro, Athan, Tarteel, Ayah and local prayer-time platforms from official authorities provide features that help with daily scheduling. Ramadan apps for prayer and fasting offer accurate prayer times, fasting reminders, Quran recitation, qibla finders and progress trackers. Their widespread use across the Gulf, Levant and North Africa reflects a clear shift in how people organise their day.

Technology has also supported smart Iftar planning. Grocery delivery apps in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar introduce Ramadan bundles, recipe suggestions and sunset-timed delivery slots. Restaurant and reservation platforms provide curated Iftar menus and pre-order tools, helping people manage meals in busy cities. These digital solutions align with broader regional trends of online food services, which consistently show increased activity during Ramadan.

Source: muslimpro.com

Digital giving becomes the new norm

One of the most practical developments across the region is the rise of online zakat and donation platforms. Many official organisations offer secure digital channels for giving. Some banks in the Gulf also provide e-zakat services, making it easier for people to calculate and send contributions through verified systems. These options demonstrate modern ways to give zakat during Ramadan.

Transparency has also improved, as many platforms allow donors to track specific programmes or receive automated receipts. This supports both accuracy and accountability, which are important for younger audiences who prefer structured, traceable charitable models.

How Ramadan is changing for young people

Recent surveys in the UAE and Saudi Arabia show clear shifts in how Ramadan is changing for young people, with Gen Z using more digital tools while keeping core traditions. Many rely on Ramadan apps for prayer and fasting, reflecting wider digital Ramadan habits in the region. Youth groups also drive online charity campaigns, increasing the role of influencers during Ramadan. Wellness programmes in the Gulf promote digital fasting habits in the Gulf, illustrating how these trends fit naturally into modern Ramadan in the Arab world.

Sustainability becomes part of Ramadan conversations

In several countries, waste reduction has become a documented priority, contributing to clearly defined sustainable Ramadan trends. Programmes such as the UAE Food Bank, Qatar’s Zero Waste initiatives and municipal waste-reduction drives in Saudi Arabia highlight efforts to limit food waste during the month. Restaurants increasingly offer smaller portion options or reduced-waste Iftar boxes, and several malls across the region run recycling campaigns during Ramadan. These initiatives reflect national sustainability strategies rather than temporary movements.

Environmental awareness also appears in public messaging. Many municipalities across the GCC release seasonal guidelines encouraging mindful consumption, recycling and food donation — practices that fit naturally into Ramadan’s community-focused values.

Photo: Cihat Hıdır

Digital fasting habits in the Gulf

Another development observed in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar is the rise of digital fasting habits in the Gulf. Wellness centres, youth organisations and mosque-led community programmes encourage participants to reduce screen time, mute notifications or designate specific offline hours. This trend doesn't replace traditional fasting but supports reflection and reduced digital noise, especially among younger demographics in highly connected cities.

These habits are regularly discussed in regional wellness campaigns and mental-health initiatives, reflecting a balanced approach to digital life during the month.

A changing landscape that preserves tradition

Taken together, these shifts show how Ramadan is changing without losing its foundation. Technology helps people stay organised, online platforms make giving easier, younger generations add new tools to familiar routines, and sustainability efforts encourage thoughtful consumption. At the same time, fasting, prayer, family gatherings and charity remain central — proof that innovation and tradition can coexist within modern Ramadan in the Arab world.

These developments illustrate a broader blend of cultural continuity and practical adaptation, shaped by real changes in lifestyle, city infrastructure and digital habits across the region.

by Sana Bun