Shisha will not be served at the Ramadan tents before 9pm this year, a Dubai Municipality official has said. Redha Salman, director of Health and Safety Department, said that the tent owners will be fined if shisha is served in the presence of children or pregnant women. He added that 28 requests for Ramadan tents were received this year, with one request rejected for failing to meet safety conditions of indoor ventilation and air-conditioning.

The approvals were given to five ballrooms and one Ramadan tent. Salman said some applications are pending compliance with certain requirements, noting that the number will increase. "The permits service continues during Ramadan. People now prefer ballrooms decorated as tents as they are more efficient in cooling and safer," said Salman.

He urged families to avoid Ramadan tents that serves shisha and to resort to family-designated places.

To serve shisha, owners have to apply for a licence from the Health and Safety Department, after receiving a permit from the Planning and Construction Department to set up Ramadan tents at locations deemed suitable.

Salman said that the tent owners who serve shisha without a licence will be subjected to a fine, following the closure of the tent if the violation is repeated. The failure to use disposable items will also result in fines and the increase in violations will be followed by the withdrawal of the licence. He urged the visitors to call 800900 in case a child or toddler is present at shisha places.

Source: Khaleej Times