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Visiting jordan during ramadan.

If you’ve just booked a trip to Jordan in March or April 2023 (or between the dates of Wednesday March 22 and Friday April 21 2023 to be exact), your holiday is likely to coincide with Ramadan. While some would say it’s a difficult time to visit Jordan , it’s not! This post tells you all the information you need to help you plan your visit, including a quick overview on the festival itself and what it’s like to visit Jordan in Ramadan time. I’ll also share some advice on how to respect the tradition and in what ways Ramadan is likely to affect your trip.

So firstly, a bit of background…

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, during which most Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours as a demonstration of surrender and test of temptation. Its main purpose is to remind followers to be grateful for the things they have, and to be conscious of those that have nothing. Many Muslims also take part in charitable giving throughout Ramadan to support those in need.

When is Ramadan in Jordan?

As a Muslim country, Jordan observes Ramadan. Of course, the dates of Ramadan are not set in stone and depend entirely on the moon. However, early forecasts suggest that Ramadan 2020 will take place in Jordan (and the rest of the world!) between the dates of Thursday 23rd April and Saturday 23rd May. The dates change every year, so keep an eye on the Muslim Aid website for confirmed dates nearer the time.

What’s it like to visit Jordan in Ramadan?

The biggest concerns for tourists when visiting Jordan in Ramadan understandably involve the rules around eating and drinking, and whether tourist attractions and restaurants will remain open. You don’t need to worry – other than being conscious of the people around you who are fasting, your trip will be largely unaffected.

>> Check out my  1 week in Jordan itinerary to help you plan your trip. Click here !

Do tourists have to observe Ramadan? Can I eat and drink in Jordan during Ramadan as a tourist?

I suppose the real question here is ‘can non-Muslim tourists eat during Ramadan?’ and the answer is ‘yes’. Jordanians don’t expect non-Muslim tourists to observe Ramadan, however please be respectful of the people around you that are taking part. That means you should try not to eat or drink in public during daylight hours to help the Muslims taking part to avoid temptation.

As we know, respect is a huge part of ethical travel, so you should also be conscious of the people you come into contact with, such as your local driver or guide. Remember they probably won’t have eaten or had a drink all day – their energy levels will be low so don’t bombard them with questions or show up late! Imagine how hard it must be to spend a day giving tours in the blazing heat in the Middle East without even a sip of water!

Will the restaurants still be open in Jordan over Ramadan?

During the day, some local restaurants will be closed as they won’t have any local mouths to feed. Yet, once the sun has set, many of the restaurants will re-open and be ready to serve you as normal.

In large cities and the biggest tourist attractions, you should still be able to find somewhere to eat breakfast and lunch. In Petra, for example, most cafes and snack spots at the site remain open to serve tourists. In Amman, there are a number of cafes and restaurants for you to choose from too. Our favourite was the Wild Jordan Cafe, just off Rainbow Street. Though not traditionally Jordanian, it’s a great place to eat during Ramadan thanks to its focus on eco-tourism and delicious ethically sourced food and drink.

>> Discover more of Amman with my list of the top things to do in Jordan’s capital . Click here ! 

Most supermarkets will also be open throughout the day. Safeway is Jordan’s biggest supermarket chain and you’ll find one in most towns and cities. They sell bread, fresh fruit, nuts and a whole load of other snacks and refreshments that you could bring together into a makeshift picnic if you get stuck.

Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim festival to celebrate the end of Ramadan. It’s normally marked by prayers in the Mosque and then a large family feast at home with friends and family. Many shops and restaurants will be closed on this day to allow staff to celebrate with their families, so make sure you’re prepared with snacks just in case.

Can I drink alcohol in Jordan in Ramadan?

It’s rare to find places to buy alcohol in Jordan during Ramadan. In addition to the daylight fasting, Muslims abstain from consuming alcohol throughout the whole of Ramadan, so the vast majority of liquor stores will be closed. Jordan hotels and restaurants with a largely tourist clientele may serve you alcohol, but this is entirely at their own discretion.

Should I fast during Ramadan as a tourist?

If you want to join in and try fasting, good on you! But there are a few things to consider. Consider what you will be doing on the days you choose to fast, for example you shouldn’t attempt to hike through Petra on an empty stomach and without any water. Not only is it very difficult, but it’s also very stupid. You may not be used to the heat and your body needs its precious energy more than ever when on a strenuous hike! However, if you’re having a lazy day in your hotel room or travelling between sites on a bus, it’s far easier to fast. Give it a go for a day to see what it’s like for the locals!

Are tourist attractions in Jordan open during Ramadan?

You should check with the individual attractions closer to your trip, but most Jordanian tourist attractions stay open and only slightly adjust their normal opening hours during Ramadan. You may find that the attractions open a little later or close slightly earlier to allow their staff to make the most of their non-fasting time. For completeness, I’ve covered the most popular attractions below:

• Petra opening hours during Ramadan: 7am – 4pm
• Amman Citadel opening hours during Ramadan: 8am – 3pm
• Amman Theater opening hours during Ramadan: 8am – 3pm
• Jerash opening hours during Ramadan: 8am – 3pm
• Wadi Rum opening hours during Ramadan: It’s a desert… it’ll be open!
• Public transport during Ramadan: You’ll be able to get around just fine during the day, but remember that it will be almost impossible to get anywhere in the hour or so before iftar as drivers will want to be with their families ready to break the fast.

Should I still go to Jordan in Ramadan?

Yes! The advantages of visiting Jordan during Ramadan far outweigh any inconvenience associated with it. In fact, the country is even more wonderful during Ramadan, with the streets filled with lights and festive decorations. Jordanian Muslims will greet each other with “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem” to wish them a blessed or generous Ramadan, so be sure to join in too.

For me, the best part is how Jordan comes alive in the evenings. Once the sun has set, everyone joins together for iftar – the evening meal that breaks the fast in their homes, restaurants or even out on the streets. In Amman, you must visit Hashem  to experience iftar. Waiters begin serving food about 10 minutes it begins, to make sure everyone can eat as soon as the Call to Prayer rings out over the city. It’s fascinating to look around the courtyard as customers wait patiently for the all-clear to tuck in, before breaking their fast by gulping down water and munching on dates in honour of Mohammed. This is when the city really comes alive. It’s a joyous occasion that everyone should experience at least once in their lives – even non-Muslims.

Are you planning a trip to Jordan during Ramadan? Or have you spent Ramadan in Jordan? How did you find it? If you have other tips to share, please leave me a comment below!

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4 thoughts on “ Visiting Jordan During Ramadan ”

my situation may be slightly more tricky as I am vegetarian. Will I find enough vegetarian food during iftar and in general during Ramadan?

Hi Sid! Absolutely 🙂 I’m vegetarian too and had absolutely no issues finding vegetarian food in Jordan during Ramadan. I lived on delicious mezzos like falafel, hummus, salads and delicious flatbreads. In fact, my tour buddies all said my food always looked the best! Have a great time 🙂

We’re heading to Amman next May, and appreciate the info you gave. I heard there are stairs from the Citadel to the Theater, bypassing the walk around the hill, do you know if this is true?

Hi Tori! You’re going to have a great time 🙂 Yes, that’s true – there are steps from the Citadel to the Theatre. To find them, leave the Citadel through the car park and follow the road to the right. We used the steps on the way up and the way down, and it’s much easier downhill!

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The Ultimate Guide to Visit Jordan During Ramadan

Traveling to Jordan during Ramadan might seem a bit odd, but it will surprise you how this time is actually quite amazing! It not only has a lot of advantages but it will also give more depth to your experience. From enjoying Jordanian culture to the delicious food that is served during the holy month, there is something for everyone. Apart from these there’s another important reason to visit Jordan during Ramadan: all of the incredible sights you want to see are really quiet during this time of year!

What And When Is Ramadan In 2024?

In a nutshell, Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It marks the time when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. During this holy month of spiritual reflection, Muslims fast between dawn and dusk.

The start of Ramadan in 2024 is expected to be on March 10, following the sighting of the moon over Mecca. Lasting for 30 days, Ramadan will end on April 9. The celebratory days of Eid al-Fitr will start on April 9 or 10. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle. As a result, the Holy month of Ramadan falls approximately 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

What to expect In Jordan during Ramadan?

Hospitality is off the charts.

From the moment you step foot on Jordan soil, you will experience incredible hospitality. People are friendly, open and always up for a chat. If you like to dive into local life, you soon find out that people are more than welcoming. They are also prepared to tell you all about their traditions, beliefs and the ways of their ancestors. Because the fasting during Ramadan takes place from sunrise to sunset, the days are quiet and slow, which is perfect for exploring. The evenings on the other hand are very lively and festive. Going out on the town and celebrating the breaking of the fast at sunset is an experience you will never forget.

Eating during the day is okay (as a traveler)

It is perfectly okay for travelers to eat and drink during the day, especially at the more touristy spots, like Petra or the Dead Sea. However, it is appreciated if you look for a quiet place and eat your meal discretely. In small villages most restaurants are closed until Iftar, the breaking of the fast. You can easily adapt to this by taking a packed lunch. Many accommodations also provide packed lunches during Ramadan. In bigger cities like Amman a lot of restaurants stay open during the day. Read all about the best restaurants in Amman here

Tip: Buy some fresh fruits and snacks at one of the markets you’ll come across during your road trip. This way you’ll make sure you don’t go hungry during the day and support local communities at the same time!

Ramadan In Jordan Is all about giving!

Ramadan is a time where Muslims give thanks for the blessings in their lives and give back to those less fortunate. This is also one of the most amazing ways to get into the spirit of Ramadan as a traveler. Ask a friendly local or a member of staff at your new favorite restaurant or accommodation if there is a local cause you can donate your time or money to.

Ramadan In Jordan equals unusual business hours

Unusual business hours are common during Ramadan in Jordan, and ask for a little more planning on your end. All the important sights are generally open during ramadan, but sometimes adjustments are made to the opening times. If you really want to do or see something that’s on your bucket-list, make sure to plan your visit ahead of time.

Enjoy The Quiet In Jordan During Ramadan

This is probably the most wonderful reason to travel to Jordan during Ramadan. A lot of places that are normally buzzing with people are really quiet during the day. If you’re looking for some alone time with the incredible architectural wonders of Petra, or if you’re longing for a private swim in the Dead Sea, Ramadan will be the best time to do so. You might have to share some of the most popular sights with other travelers, so it is still advised to visit popular places in the early morning or late afternoon.

Experience Life Like a Local

If you’re looking for a cultural immersion into Jordan’s culture, you can perfectly do so during Ramadan. It is not only a really interesting time to experience local life, but also to dive into Jordan’s cultural heritage. Especially as someone that’s not from the Middle East, you can learn so much about the history of the country, region and religion.

Prices Are Usually Lower

Many travelers choose to not travel to Jordan during Ramadan, which in turn, causes prices to be lower during this time of year. There’s also great availability of affordable accommodations, plane tickets and rental cars, which can save you a lot of money.

My own experience in Jordan during Ramadan

I did not intentionally plan my visit to Jordan during Ramadan. While on the look-out for cheap plane tickets I suddenly discovered that I was traveling to Jordan during Ramadan. I was also intrigued by visiting Jordan during this period, so I decided to just go with the flow. Jordan is one of the most incredible countries in the Middle East, it’s safe and there is a lot to see and do. Many non-Muslim travelers (including me) who travel to Jordan during Ramadan, find it to be an immersive cultural learning experience. So even if you’re not a practicing Muslim, Ramadan can play a big part in your travels, it certainly did in mine!

How To Plan Your Day In Jordan During Ramadan

It’s quite easy to adapt your travel planning to the rhythm of Ramadan. Get up early for breakfast and use the day to explore museums and ancient sites. By night you can truly experience the festive nights to the fullest. Don’t be surprised if you get invited by some lovely locals to participate in the festivities. During my trip I was invited to share a celebratory Iftar meal with a local family, which is definitely a memory I will cherish forever.

Is Traveling During Ramadan Something For Me?

If you’re looking for a trip filled with lots of beautiful sights, great food, amazing people and if you possess some flexibility, I would say: “GO!” I loved my time in Jordan, the nature, the hospitality, the beautiful historical sights and especially the food! These are all the best reasons for you to travel to Jordan during Ramadan. Read all about travel to Jordan here

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A guide to visiting jordan in ramadan.

Last Updated on March 27, 2022 by Tia

This article is a guide to visiting Jordan in Ramadan.

I will be answering common questions about visiting a Muslim country during its most important holiday so you can travel respectfully and stress-free!

Is visiting Jordan in Ramadan difficult? What is Ramadan? -Will traveling to Jordan in Ramadan affect my holiday? Are restaurants operating during that month?

Keep reading for the answers to all these common questions and extra tips so you can plan your holidays accordingly.

Tia Does Travel contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full information, take a look at our disclaimer here.

Table of Contents

A complete picture of Jordan

Before we start, no trip to Jordan is complete without some essential basic knowledge of the country , a detailed guide of the best things to do in Jordan , and a perfected list of what to wear on your trip!

Additionally, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, you will find my Vegans in Jordan guide helpful to your travels!

First things first; what is Ramadan?

Similar to the fasting of meat practiced by Christians during the 50 days before Christmas and the 40 days before Easter, Ramadan is religiously practiced by devout Muslims all over the world.

It falls on the ninth month of the Muslim calendar- during which Muslims stop eating and drinking entirely during daylight hours.

By entirely, I mean they forego everything _ including water– every day between sunrise and sunset for a whole month!

For example, In Saudi Arabia, It is considered extremely distasteful for a Muslim not to fast during Ramadan.

The dates of Ramadan are not set in stone, so please visit this guide for the 2019 dates

What is the purpose of Ramadan?

The purpose of Ramadan is to resist temptation and remind us to be grateful for the things we have that we often take for granted – like food and water.

The fasting breaks as soon as the sun sets with the ‘’iftar’’ meal and it is treated as a small celebration.

Restaurants set up large tables everywhere about 15 minutes before the sun sets and as soon as the call to prayer ends, everyone tucks in.

Will restaurants be closed during Ramadan?

Not at all! Not everything will be open – but you won’t have any trouble finding places to eat and drink – especially close to main cities and tourist areas.

Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra, Karak, and Madaba all had more than enough options to choose from.

If however, you are stuck for options, you can always dine at any hotel – as they all operate as usual!

In Jordan, the city of Dana is the one place you will have trouble finding anything open during the day. 

Will tourist attractions be open in Jordan in Ramadan?

Absolutely – although the internet likes to lie and suggest otherwise!

Jordan in Ramadan is no different; it’s business as usual in Jordan – as it also was in Egypt and Dubai – when I also visited during Ramadan.

Don’t forget the country’s economy relies heavily on tourism.

All attractions are operating in their normal schedule – apart from the Amman Citadel which is still open, but closes early!

Ask your hotel or driver for info on the day.

Can we find guides during Ramadan? (guided tours, Petra Tours, Desert Safaris)

Strangely enough, yes!

Guides will take you on a desert tour for the whole day and not have a drop of water – it’s insane.

I have so much respect for that!

I used to feel disrespectful hiring anyone to work during Ramadan – especially in the scorching heat. But then I realized that people also need to work and feed their families!

Can I eat/ drink and smoke in Public in Jordan in Ramadan?

Technically yes, but I wouldn’t do it too publicly out of respect and sensitivity to the local customs.

Be discreet about it, and you will be fine! Smoking is also prohibited during Ramadan so the same rules to being discreet apply here!

What are the benefits of traveling to Jordan in  Ramadan?

Fewer tourists everywhere you go is a small benefit – but the biggest advantage for me is the extraordinary opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the local culture and customs of Jordan.

Hospitality is big in Jordan and that doesn’t change during Ramadan!

Simply speaking to the locals you will find them grateful for Ramadan, they feel it cleansing for the body and soul and welcome it into their lives and culture.

Taking part in the Iftar meal is a memory you will remember forever!

My Last Thoughts

My advice is, travel during Ramadan is nothing to be scared or worried about. It is actually a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in Jordan’s culture!

Jordan in Ramadan will still be a gorgeous, cultural, and awakening experience for you, and Ramadan will not ruin your travel plans!

Like this post? Then share it on Pinterest!

Thanks for reading, and I hope I have convinced you to experience Jordan In Ramadan!

Make sure you subscribe with your email down below, to receive my travel newsletters and travel discounts!

Also, join my travel family on  Instagram , and let’s stay connected.

Love, Tia x

Other Jordan Articles

Jordan Travel Guide – All The Information you need to know before you visit.

The Best Things To Do In Jordan – A guide to the best activities in Jordan

Vegan Jordan – A vegan and vegetarian restaurant guide in Jordan

What to wear in Jordan – The ideal packing guide

Jordan In Ramadan – Tips to Visiting the country during Ramadan

Hi I'm Tia, a Greek Cypriot native that combines a career in professional dance with a profound love for soul searching and traveling around the world. 

What to wear in Jordan – Packing guide

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Travel in Jordan During Ramadan – What to Expect during your Visit to Jordan

Traveling to Jordan during Ramadan ?  Here are some tips to help you continue to have a great travel experience as well as allow you to travel deeper this month.

Ramadan in Jordan – Travel Tips

• We specialize in Jordan , Tunisia , Israel & Palestine and Egypt , and we can confidently say no one in these countries will be expecting you to fast.  Both countries are used to foreigners and whether you are Muslim or not, as a foreign tourist it is an assumption you are not Muslim, thus not fasting. There is no expectation or legal requirement for visitors to fast.  So relax, Arabs are very generous and understanding people.
• That being said, we value respecting and honoring the local culture and people while we travel. Try to be considerate of those around you.  Eat or drink away from locals or friends who are fasting.  Chugging a Coke or scarfing a shawarma  on the street is considered impolite during Ramadan.
• For obvious reasons, most restaurants are closed during the day.  If you are in Amman, Jordan and looking for a place to eat, check out this list from My Amman Life .
• Work schedules shift during Ramadan so if you are traveling this month you need to be aware of high traffic times.  Expect more traffic than normal around the times of 9:00 am, 3:00 pm, and before Iftar (breaking of the fast) between 7:00-7:30 pm.
• Tour sites in Jordan are open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm during Ramadan.  Most sites will stop tourists from entering at around 4:30pm. Petra is open from 6:00am-6:00pm during Ramadan.
• Try fasting for a day or two during your trip.  Why not compassionately identify with 1.6 billion people of the world while you are traveling?  You never know, you may learn a lot about the local culture, religion and people.  I guarantee it will a good way to actively pursue a meaningful experience and gain greater insight and understanding while you travel.
• In light of the above, if you are wanting to make the most out of your travels during Ramadan, we would encourage you to meet a local Jordanian or Tunisian and if it works out participate in an “Iftar” dinner with them.  Are you traveling to Jordan?  Contact us and we will help organize an Iftar dinner for you with a local family .
• Say “Ramadan Kareem” (Happy Ramadan/Generous Ramadan) to locals you meet.  The smiles you receive in return will only add to your Ramadan travel experience.

Enjoy your travels to the Middle East this month!  Please let us know if you have any specific questions regarding traveling to Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt or the West Bank during Ramadan. Traveling to Egypt?? Check our blog on what to expect traveling to Egypt during Ramadan .

We would love to see or hear about any of your experiences this month.  Make a comment or post on our Facebook Page .

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Quick Guide to 8 Days in Jordan During Ramadan

Jordan during Ramadan post-Covid is a unique experience. The streets in the middle of the day are slow but as night hits, you can see the country come alive. I read up on visiting Jordan during Ramadan but it was far different from what I had experienced. I am here to share what I went through during this time that I wish I had known before I arrived. 

Table of Contents

Visas upon arrival are required for all US citizens. The visa currently costs 40 JD ($56.50 USD) for a single entry, 60 JD ($85 USD) for two entries, and 120 JD ($170 USD) for a multiple entry visa . Credit/Debit cards are acceptable. ATMs are also accessible prior to immigration . To save the visa headache, I recommend purchasing the Jordan Pass.

What is the Jordan Pass?

The Jordan Pass is the ultimate sightseeing pass that allows travelers to visit famous attractions for free upon paying for the all-in-one pass. The pass includes free entry to Petra, Wadi Rum, and Jerash, plus 40+ other sites, and even waives the entry visa fee if the Jordan Pass was purchased prior to arrival with a minimal stay of three nights (4 days) in Jordan . I purchased the Jordan Wanderer for 70JDs ($99 USD). Considering that the single visa entry is 60JDs, you will get a lot from this pass. A single ticket to Petra for one night in Jordan is 50JD ($70 USD) and Wadi Rum is 5JD ($7USD) . The highest level of Jordan Pass is the Jordan Expert for 80JDs ($113 USD). This pass is superior as it allows 3 consecutive visits to Petra. 

Getting Around:

Jordan is a hilly country filled with a variety of landscapes. While there are numerous tours to choose from and an abundance of taxi drivers outside hotels and famous attractions, I recommend hiring a private driver to take you wherever you want to go. The country is extremely hilly and attractions are not in close proximity to one other. Walking around Jordan is challenging and by hiring a private driver, you will have someone waiting for you to take you to your next destination. Hiring a private driver can be anywhere from 150 to 200 per person/per day including hotels or $100 for transportation only . I typically find my drivers reading forums but due to the last-minute getaway, I had to hire a local travel coordinator to plan and organize my trip. I would not recommend hiring a travel coordinator because I was not in control of my own trip and it cost way more than finding a driver on your own. 

The national language in Jordan is Arabic . I do not speak Arabic but Google Translate and gestures came in handy, especially in areas with few tourists. If you hire a driver or guide, they can also help to communicate with you. 

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk . In Jordan in April, it was around 4am to 7pm. When the fast ends, you can hear prayers over the intercom that is blasted throughout the country. The meal at this time is called Iftar . Many women often spend hours cooking in the kitchen for their families prior to Iftar. If you are able to enjoy an Iftar meal with locals, I say take it. I was able to break fast with a local family while in Jordan. Many other locals also rush to break fast at restaurants and cafes. During this time, it is encouraged that tourists do not dine at restaurants to allow locals to sate their appetite. 

In Jordan, the local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD). Cash is widely used so make sure that you take out enough cash for your trip. ATMs are located throughout the country. Most ATMs will have an English option unless you are away from the touristy area at a random ATM. I recommend using the ATMs inside of the bank to ensure you are not scammed. US dollars (USD) can also be used in some areas. The JOD currency is strong because of its union with the USD, but you cannot go far with the US dollar. 

As of June 2023, the currency is as follows:

• $1USD=$0.71 JOD
• $1CAN=$0.53 JOD
• $1AUS=$0.48 JOD
• €1=$0.76 JOD
• £1=$0.89 JOD
• ¥1=$0.0051 JOD

There are a lot of cheap and affordable hotel options located throughout Jordan. Most of the hotels I stayed at were about $45 a night and it was located in the middle of all the action. The most expensive accommodation was located in Petra and Wadi Rum . I stayed at the Silk Road Hotel in Petra for about $100 a night. We initially were supposed to stay at the Seven Wonders Luxury Camp in Little Petra but there was an issue with our booking. When in Jordan, it is a must to stay in a dome hotel. The best place to enjoy a dome hotel is in Wadi Rum. There are so many beautiful domes there. Our tour coordinator booked us a mediocre hotel so I recommend looking through photographs to find what best works for you. We did not like any of the rooms we stayed at but thankful that they were in the middle of everything. 

Click on the date for the full itinerary.

Expenses for 8 Days:

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With the Holy month of Ramadan starting tomorrow,

preparations for the festivities are well underway here in Jordan! Like many monotheistic religions, Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast and reflect on their faith.

Ramadan brings with it many cultural practices that many foreign travelers to Jordan might not know of but will make their trip that much more exciting and immersive! Whether you want to visit the Ramadan tents in the different venues and hotels or want to explore what a traditional Iftar is like, you’ve picked the right time to come!

To make your travels to Jordan more comfortable and enjoyable during the Holy Month, we here at Zaman Tours have come up with the below Ramadan Q&A for foreign travelers to Jordan:

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar. It is significant to the Islamic faith since it is the month in which it is believed that God revealed the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohammad. Muslims are encouraged to fast, donate monies to charities and study the Qur’an during this month to encourage self-control, and diminish dependence on material goods and establish solidarity with the poor and less fortunate.

What are some of the Ramadan traditions?

During Ramadan Muslims engage in three traditions amongst many others including fasting, Iftar, and charitable activities.

Fasting: Muslims fast between dawn and sunset, restricting themselves from drinking and eating.

Iftar: After the sun has set, families gather together for Iftar where they break their fast, traditionally starting their meal by eating a date. This is followed by the fourth of the five daily prayers after which the main meal is served.

Charity: Charity during Ramadan is very important. According to tradition, Ramadan is a blessed time to give to charity. It is hence not uncommon to see families and individuals donate food, clothes and monies towards charities and those that are less fortunate during the Holy Month.

How long does Ramadan last?

The Month of Ramadan lasts between 29 to 30 days. The month begins with a new moon, and ends with the next new moon.

Are tourist sites open during Ramadan?

All of the tourist sites in Jordan are open during Ramadan.

Any advice on what to do whilst visiting the sites?

We would recommend guests to wear t-shirts or shirts that cover the arms up to the elbow and ideally light pants that extend to the ankles. Whilst Jordan is a liberal country and wearing shorter clothes is perfectly fine, locals working at the sites will appreciate the display of sensitivity from travelers if they are adequately clothed.

Can I eat in public?

We advise guests not to eat and drink water in public places during Ramadan as a sign of respect towards people who are fasting. It is perfectly fine to eat/drink in hotels and tourist sites and restaurants.

Can I eat/drink in touristic sites? What about restaurants near tourist sites?

Yes. Restaurants operating at tourist sites and around Amman will be open during Ramadan. The tourist sites such as Petra et al., will also have vendors selling food and drinks to visitors.

Do tourist sites opening times change during Ramadan?

The opening hours for tourist sites are as follows: Visitor centers and ticket offices: 9 AM to 4 PM, but visitors can remain inside the sites until 5 PM Museums: 9 AM to 5 PM

Do shops opening times change during Ramadan?

Shops located inside hotels will be open as usual. Many supermarkets and malls will operate on regular hours, but will close between the hours of 5 PM and 8 PM and then open from 8 PM onwards.

Do Hotels serve food during the day during Ramadan?

Hotels will serve food and drinks throughout the day.

Do Hotels serve alcoholic drinks during Ramadan?

5 Star hotel properties will serve alcohol during Ramadan to be consumed in their venues.

Do Hotels serve breakfast and dinner during daylight?

Hotels will serve breakfast and dinner as usual. However for guests who are fasting and would rather swap traditional breakfast hours for Iftar or Suhour can do so. Ask your Zaman Tours Travel Consultant for more information no specific hotels.

Are bars/restaurants open during Ramadan?

Many public bars close during Ramadan unless they serve food in which case they will not serve alcohol. The exception is restaurants located inside hotels.

What are some of the evening activities that I can undertake during Ramadan?

The Amman municipality is launching the “Citadel Nights” during Ramadan. The events will take place inside the grounds of the Amman Citadel every night where guests are invited to enjoy traditional dishes, folklore and music shows and authentic souks. For more information, please visit www.amman.jo/citadel/en/index.asp

Additionally several popular venues and hotels will have Ramadan themed nights at their properties. Ask your local Zaman Tours Travel Consultant for more details on these.

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A Guide to Ramadan: Insights, Traditions and Dates

Ramadan is the holy month in Islam and one of the most important events of the year. It’s celebrated by Muslims around the globe. Have you ever wondered why Ramadan is celebrated and why the dates vary from year to year?

I’ve compiled a useful guide to Ramadan. Let me explain to you the most important traditions to know and the expected dates for Ramadan for the coming years.

What is Ramadan?

If you’re not a Muslim, you might have heard about Ramadan as the month during which Muslims fast . Fasting basically means to refrain from eating and drinking during daytime. It’s considered one of the most important things during Ramadan.

However, Ramadan is much more than fasting.

Ramadan is the holy month in Islam. It’s all about spiritualty and a person’s bond with God and family. Besides fasting, many worshippers dedicate more time to family and religious activities such as praying or studying the Qura’an (the holy book in Islam).

In many Islamic countries, working hours are shorter which makes fasting much easier than with a busy schedule.

Ramadan Traditions

Ramadan is more than fasting.

Fasting (refraining from eating and drinking during daylight) is probably the best known Ramadan rule. However, Ramadan isn’t only about fasting. The purpose of the holy month is to grow spiritually and to get closer to God (Allah) and one’s family .

The most important rules during Ramadan are:

• Fasting from sunrise to sunset (no food, water, chewing gums…) during daylight hours
• No smoking (cigarettes, hookah…)
• Not involving in intimate activities
• Avoiding arguments and not using swear words

Of course, there are a few more rules, but these are the most important ones.

Generally speaking, anyone (men and women) who has undergone puberty has to fast. However, there are some exceptions . People who are sick, on their periods, pregnant or traveling are not expected to fast. If a person breaks the fast (for whatever reason), he or she is expected to make up for that day at a later moment.

Ramadan Greetings

Ramadan is a major event for any Muslim. It’s a common tradition to wish someone a happy Ramadan at the beginning of the holy month. There are several Ramadan greetings which are used among family, friends, colleagues and even strangers.

Below are some common Ramadan greetings:

Both ramadan kareem as well as ramadan mubarak are common Ramadan greetings in Arabic which are widely used and understood across the Middle East.

Iftar and Suhoor

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. This can easily surpass 12 hours, depending on the time of the year and the geographic location.

With a limited amount of time to eat (sunset to sunrise) and an even longer amount of time without food and water, food during Ramadan is different than usually.

The first meal in the evening (after sunset) is called Iftar . After a long day of fasting, Iftar usually contains a lot of liquids . Fresh juice and a soup (e.g. lentil soup) are usually served first. Then comes a hearty main dish (e.g. rice with grilled meat) accompanied by side dishes (usually salads like fattoush and spreads like mutabbal). Sweets are very common during the evening hours too, as people tend to stay up late.

The meal in the early morning (before sunrise) is called Suhoor . During that meal it’s important that you eat foods that will bring you throughout the day. Dairy products (e.g. Labneh), bread and beans (e.g. Foul Mesdames) are common. Suhoor is generally much simpler than Iftar.

Eid is the End of Ramadan

Eid al Fitr is a two-day celebration that takes place after the Ramadan ends. Same as for Ramadan, the dates for Eid al Fitr are predictions based on the Islamic lunar calendar. It begins in the evening of the last day of Ramadan.

Read more about Eid al Fitr and other Eid celebrations in my article on Eid festivals .

Gift Giving

Ramadan gifts are an important practice at the end of the holy month . Traditionally, gifts (mostly money) were given to children. However, it has become common practice among all age groups . These gifts are exchanged between family, friends and neighbors after Ramadan (during Eid).

The most popular Ramadan gifts are:

• Food and sweets (e.g. dates, chocolates)
• Items for the home (decorations)
• Candy and other sweets (for children)
• Toys (for children)

Ramadan Dates

The dates of Ramadan are based on the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months with 354 days a year. With the Islamic calendar being shorter than the Gregorian calendar (365 days) , Islamic holidays such as Ramadan and Eid vary from year to year.

A few important notes on the Ramadan dates:

• The dates of Ramadan depend on the crescent moon. Slight variations (usually not more than a day) are possible. The first day of Ramadan is usually confirmed 1-2 days prior to the anticipated start date.
• The dates of Ramadan can vary from country to country. In the Eastern Mediterranean (Levantine Countries), Ramadan usually starts a day earlier than in countries like India.
• Islamic holidays such as Ramadan always begin and end in the evening.

Visit an Islamic Country during Ramadan

Are you considering to travel to an Islamic country during Ramadab? While it can be a beneficial cultural experience for international travelers, it also brings some restrictions. Obviously, these depend on the country that you intend to visit, but I’ve compiled some general information for you. Make sure to check out my article on visiting an Islamic country during Ramadan .

Questions or Feedback?

Did you enjoy reading this article? Any questions or feedback? Leave me a comment in the comment section down the page. I’d love to hear from you!

Are you interested in Arab culture and language? You’ve come to the right place! This blog is about  all things Middle Eastern . You’ll find plenty of useful articles here to immerse yourself in the Arabic language, culture and cuisine.

Kitty Ramasamy

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Jordan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before you Visit Jordan

Are you planning a trip to Jordan? START HERE

Jordan was my first ever trip to the Middle East. I loved it so much that I came back just 5 months later and rented a small apartment with my two boys. This gave us a chance to explore everything that Jordan had to offer and in many visits since, this Jordan travel blog was born! I have put everything I know into this comprehensive Jordan travel guide and I am always happy to talk about Jordan. If you ever have questions or cannot find what you are looking for on my site, feel free to reach out! I am always happy to answer emails! You can also check out the Jordan Facebook group to ask your questions there as well!

Rest assured that Step into Jordan has everything that you need to plan your trip to Jordan from start to finish. I have tried to put this guide into a logical order for someone who has never traveled to Jordan before. I know when I was going on my first trip I wanted to know everything I should expect! Here you can start with the basics of a visit to Jordan and then dive deeper into in depth destination guides and itineraries and everything you need to know.

Jordan Travel Guide

Jordan is one of the top adventure destinations in the world. I love that you can be exploring the wonders of Petra one day and then scuba diving stunning reefs off the coast of the Red Sea the next. In Amman, you can be enjoying street food downtown for lunch and then floating on the Dead Sea in the afternoon before retiring to one of the resorts on its shores! Wadi Rum is probably my favorite part of Jordan, but that should not take away from Petra or the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. I always encourage everyone who visits Jordan to at least spend a night in Wadi Rum because my first tour to Jordan only had us there for an afternoon and I think that was a big fail on their part.

Overwhelmed with Planning a trip to Jordan?

Want to skip all of the planning and access my detailed Jordan Itinerary and Guide? I have been to Jordan several times and after being asked again and again for suggestions, not only did I build this website but I created an interactive PDF guide to help you plan the best trip to Jordan! It includes an interactive map, multiple itineraries for up to 10 days and as little as three days and plenty of practical information about renting a car and driving in Jordan. Get the guide by clicking the button below. 

The Best Time To Visit Jordan

March until May and September to mid-November are the best time to visit Jordan . It offers the best temperatures and avoids the busy (and hot) summer travel season which sees locals as well as tourists from the gulf region spending their summer break in Jordan. You can read more about each season in Jordan in the link above. The only time I do not recommend traveling to Jordan is December to February as the poor weather can dampen many of the outdoor adventures Jordan is famous for.

What to Expect in Jordan

Visas: The vast majority of nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival in Jordan. Check before you visit. If you are planning on visiting Jordan independently, the Jordan Pass can save you some money as it waives the visa fees for entering the country if you are staying at least a few nights in the country.

Safety: Jordan is a safe country to visit and is known for its friendly locals who are very proud Jordanians. Visitors are unlikely to go a day in Jordan without a smile and a “welcome to Jordan” from a local. Women traveling solo are often questioned by locals about a “where their husbands are?” but it is most often polite small talk and curiousity. Smiling and chatting with locals can be considered flirting and it is reccomended women not take invitiations to visit caves in Petra at night with local tribes. Car accidents are typically the most dangerous part of Jordan.

Language: The official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken in the tourist areas. Road signage is in Arabic and English as are most menus, receipts and money.

Religion: 95% Muslim 4% Christian

Currency: The official currency is the Jordanian Dinar, which is tied to the USD. 1 USD is about JOD 0.71. When shopping you will often hear the currency referred to as “JD” such as “one JD” or “dinar” such as “one Dinar.”

Main Tourist Sites : Petra, Wadi Rum, Mount Nebo, Madaba, Dead Sea, Jerash, Jesus Baptism Site

Budget: While many countries in the Middle East are quite inexpensive to travel, Jordan is not one of them. A 1 JD bottle of water costs about USD1.41. Luxury Hotels and Resorts will run guests about USD150-200 and a bottle of wine in a liquor store will cost patrons about USD30. Taxi’s and street food are two things that are inexpensive in Jordan. There are ATM’s in almost every major hotel and in Amman there are plenty of currency exchange options. However, cash is still king in Jordan. Locals use cash for everything from grocery store purchases to roadside tea to hotel rooms. While you can use credit cards at major hotels and tourist shops, it is best to have cash on hand each day.

Electricity: The plugs in Jordan are Type C, D, F, G, and J. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Use a universal adapter so you can adapt to the changing plug situation in the kingdom.

Airports: Jordan’s main international Airport is Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) located outside of Amman. Aqaba International Airport (AQJ) is located in the south of the country on the Red Sea in Aqaba. European Low Cost flights often fly into Aqaba on a seasonal basis offering the resort area as a getaway for Europeans looking to escape winter.

Tipping: Tipping is a big part of the service culture in Jordan, but unlike other countries (Egypt for instance), genuine tips such as driving directions are given without a second thought. When it comes to restaurants, it is common to add 10% to the bill, tip 1 JD for luggage service and round up to the next dinar for a taxi. Guides and drivers also work for tips and a base line guide for a group tour is JD3 per day for the driver and JD5 per day for the guide (per person in the group). A private guide JD25 per day is a typical tip for the group.

Cuisine: Jordanian food is a big part of a Jordan visit and taking advantage of the arabic flavors is part of the experience. From sweet Bedouin tea, hummus and bread to mansaf , make sure you enjoy all of the popular dishes in Jordan.

Alcohol: Although over 90% of the country is made up of Muslims, drinking is acceptable in Jordan, but not widespread. All 5 star hotels will have a well-stocked bar and there are plenty of liquor stores in Amman and Aqaba, but you will be hard-pressed to find much in places like Petra unless you are staying in a 5 star hotel like Movenpick or Marriott.

Water: You will read conflicting reports about tap water being drinkable or not. It really depends if the tap has a filter on it (which is hard to tell unless you have rented an apartment and look under the sink.) Most locals use tap water for washing and have a separate filtered tap. Stick to bottled water just to be sure. Generally hotel water in restaurants has been filtered.

Toilets: All hotels, rest stops and most restaurants have western toilets, but almost none of them have toilet paper. If you are not comfortable using the bidet sprayer, ensure you have some packed. Some rest stops have a bathroom attendant who will supply you with paper for a small tip. The same goes in Petra.

I nsurance and Medical: Jordan has modern hospitals and plenty of doctors if needed. I even took my son to a local doctor while in Jordan and the experience was one of the most authentic things you can do in Jordan (not that I am recommending you visit a doctor, but you really get a sense of the locals when you end up doing things that people who live in Jordan do everyday! With that being said, I highly suggest you buy travel insurance for Jordan. It is an inexpensive peace of mind for when those big accidents happen. You can get a quote on travel insurance for Jordan from this site.

Jordan Dress Code and Local Customs

What to wear in jordan.

While Jordan has modern cities, Jordanians have a typical conservative dress code. Men wear pants even in the hottest summer days unless they are at the beach. You will never see a Jordanian man topless, unless at a pool, on a boat or at the beach. Women should not wear low cut shirts or tank tops. Local Jordanian women generally wear tshirts or long sleeves and long pants all year round.

When visiting in the summer months, avoid short shorts unless at the beach resorts and pack a swim cover up to walk to and from the pool. I have plenty more advice on this post on what to wear in Jordan. Overall, locals are unlikely to comment on your dress, but it is best to dress respectfully.

Local Customs

Greetings: When it comes to greetings in Jordan, you will often see men hugging and cheek kissing (at least twice!) and women will often do the same. However, you will rarely see men and women in such an embrace. Shaking hands between men and women is totally fine. However, if you are a man greeting a conservatively dressed woman, let her be the first to extend a hand in greeting. Public displays of affection are frowned upon in Jordan. While in a resort you may see a couple holding hands, but that is about as much physical affection you will see from locals. When traveling in Jordan with your partner, keep your physical contact to a minimum.

Respecting Religion: It is normal for Muslims to pray in public. Be mindful of those praying outside and do not walk right in front of them or stare. You will see most drivers, even police officers with a prayer mat with them during the day. If you are visiting Jordan during Ramadan, it is advised to not eat in public. Locals will not say anything if you are drinking water, but if a local was to do it, they would likely be scorned by those who are choosing to fast.

If your visit does fall during Ramadan (or to get more info) check out Ramadan in Jordan

Photos: Always ask permission before taking photos of locals in Jordan. Especially women. Also, if you are a women traveling in Jordan and happen to run into a school group, do not be surprised if the students want to take photos with you! Jordanian children love interacting with guests to their country and practicing their English.

Visiting Jordan with Kids

Jordan is very kid-friendly and children are welcomed everywhere. My first trip to Jordan, my boys were just 5 and 3 years old. Jordan offers plenty of outdoor adventure that is perfect for kids! They rode camels, hiked in Petra , tried floating at the Dead Sea, snorkeled in Aqaba, rode a 4×4 in Wadi Rum and ate mansaf ! Do not be put off visiting Jordan with your children. Locals love children and while Jordan is not Disneyland, it is definitely a destination that can be enjoyed as a family!

If you are planning on coming to Jordan with your family, have a read of Jordan with kids.

Jordan Travel Guide Planning Resources

Ok so now you have the basics, what you need to decide now is if you want to have someone else plan your trip and take a guided tour, or if you want to see the country on your own. Both ways are fine and both suit a different style of traveler. I have done it both ways and I enjoyed getting to meet other liked minded people on a group tour. I love having a private guide with my kids so they can pepper him with their hundreds of questions and I do not have to worry about other guests. I also love renting a car and hitting the road!

How Long Should You Spend in Jordan?

This is one of the first things you need to figure out. Many people just come for 3-4 days but you really need at least 7 days to be able to see all of the high lights without spending every day rushing from place to place. If you are flying from the other side of the world, see if you can allow 10 days as that will give you the best amount of time to see what makes Jordan so special.

If you are combining Jordan with Egypt or Israel you can pick your must-sees and work around those. For many visitors it is a long way to go and stretching your vacation will get you the best bang for your buck.

Ready to Plan your Trip to Jordan?

If you have decided when you are going to Jordan and have a general idea on how long you have to spend in the country you are ready to move onto the next steps.

Almost every day I get asked if visitors should rent a car. Because of the lack of infrastructure, renting a car is the best way to get around. I generally suggest using RentalCars.com to compare prices across various rental agencies.

Most trips start in Amman but increasingly there are more low cost airlines from Europe flying into Aqaba on Jordan’s south coast! You are going to want to read the top things to do in Amman and the best things to do in Aqaba.

While in the low season the hotel inventory is high, in the busy seasons hotels can sell out. Sometimes there are NO HOTELS AVAILABLE IN PETRA and on Jordanian holidays, Aqaba can be all booked up! If you are traveling in peak periods you should book your accommodation as soon as you have set your dates. Check for flexible cancellations. I generally suggest using booking.com as their policies are easy to read.

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A Guide to Visiting During Ramadan in Aqaba

Most people say that Aqaba is one of the friendliest city to visit jordan during ramadan ,especially for those who are interested in learning more about Middle Eastern cultures and way of life. Nevertheless, arranging a trip becomes more difficult for one lunar cycle each year since the 96% of Muslims observe Ramadan and its associated limitations.

Ramadan is a great time to visit to Aqaba, but there are a few things to bear in mind. You must make reservations for excursions and meals and practice being a more culturally aware visitor than usual if you want to see the City of Aqaba during Ramadan. Assuming you are not a Muslim, Jordanians are unlikely to criticize you if you breach Ramadan customs, but by changing your own conduct while there during Ramadan, you will strengthen the bond between Jordanian and your own cultures.

Visiting jordan during ramadan if you want to feel, live, and experience more of the traditional life and culture of the region. You have a fantastic opportunity to see the effects that this month has on people and the environment throughout this unique month. You don’t need to worry too much about what to do in Aqaba during Ramadan because it will be almost same to traveling at other times of the year with added benefits.

The holy month of Ramadan is when Muslims worldwide observe fasting. The Islamic lunar calendar determines when the holy month officially begins each year. Most nations do not sell alcohol to non-Muslims during Ramadan, with the exception of bigger hotels. Just for Muslims, eating, drinking, and smoking in public are not encouraged during daytime hours. Visitors are respectfully asked to refrain from these activities in public during the fasting hours.

Ramadan in aqaba Several shops, banks, and offices open late at 9:00 and close early at 14:00 during Ramadan. Nobody will expect you to fast in several Arab nations including Jordan, Tunisia, Palestine/Israel, and Egypt. All of the aforementioned nations are accustomed to seeing visitors, and whether or not you practice Islam, you will find that the locals are quite accommodating of the idea that you may not be a Muslim and are not fasting. Tourists are not expected to fast, and it is not required by law. Hence, even if it is Ramadan in these nations, you may always have a good time since Arabs are really kind and understanding people.

Do They Celebrate Ramadan in Jordan? 

Many visitors to the popular Middle Eastern destination are uncertain if Jordanians observe Ramadan. Indeed, it is the solution. Aqaba, a city with a large Muslim population, observes Ramadan, and its people follow the customary religious customs.

Let me first give a basic explanation of what Ramadan is and what it means to the people before we get into the specific factors visitors to Jordan should take into account when going during this holy month.

Ramadan , often spelled Ramadhan or Ramzan, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar during which Muslims all around the globe observe a sawm, or 24-hour fast, from dawn to dusk. They also refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, and having sexual relations while they are fasting.

The festival, which is one of Islam’s Five Pillars, begins with the first sighting of the crescent moon and lasts for 29 or 30 days. Muslims see the latter third of Ramadan as having the highest spiritual value because it marks the occasion when the angel Jibrl (Gabriel in English) gave the Prophet Muhammad the first verses of the Koran (Qur’an).

When is Ramadan in Jordan?

The Islamic calendar’s ninth month is always when Ramadan takes place. Nevertheless, because Islam follows the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the solar one, the exact day changes every year. Ramadan so begins 10–12 days earlier each year.

Please note that these are only approximate dates; the actual dates of Ramadan will be established closer to the dates depending on the phases of the moon. In 2023, Ramadan will begin on Thursday, March 23, and finish on Saturday, April 22 in Jordan.

Tours & Activities

Tourist destinations Ramadan in Aqaba are open every day, and you can schedule trips to visit any of them just as you would at any other time of the year. Be aware that tour guides and drivers will be fasting and praying, so expect them to work fewer hours to accommodate these activities.

Also, you could notice that they don’t have as much energy.

Restaurants

One of the nicest things to do in Aqaba is to eat Jordanian food, but you might be concerned that you won’t be able to do so if it’s Ramadan and everyone is fasting.

Generally speaking, during Ramadan in Aqaba eateries are closed during the day. At popular tourist destinations and upscale hotels, you can always find eateries or grocery shops that are open and provide food to non-Muslims. Before the iftar meal, restaurants do stay open later to provide takeout.

You won’t locate any open booze outlets throughout Ramadan. The only places that are allowed to offer alcohol are hotels with bars, so finding one of them is your sole option for getting a drink.

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Jordan during Ramadan 17/05/2019

What is Ramadan ?  Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.  Muslims avoid eating nor drinking anything between sunrises until sunset, smoking and engaging in sexual relation. They are also instructed to refrain from sinful behaviors that may negate the reward of fasting such as false speech, fighting except in self-defense. 

After the sunset, Muslims will have their “Iftar” which is their first meal “breakfast “of the day and this serves as a mini celebration for the families, where they get together and eat traditional delicious meals, snacks and desserts. 

Muslims break their fast by eating first 1 or 3 dates and water. From a nutritional point of view, dates have important elements of iron, magnesium, natural sugar and fibres, it help refilling blood sugar after long day of fasting

Starter 

Soup is much desired to start the iftar for Muslims, its good option to warm and prepare the stomach to receive other food. There are many types of soups that are served during Ramadan such as: vegetables, chicken, mushroom, Vermicelli and with Lentil soup being the most common one in Jordan.

Fattoush  - is one of the essential dishes on Ramadan table, it is a combination of fresh vegetables with small pieces of baked bread on the top. Pomegranate, olive oil and lemon juice are used for the dressing.

Main Course 

Mansaf  - (white rice with cooked yogurt and meat), stuffed vegetables (Mehchi Koussa and stuffed vine leaves), Moulouhkiyeh, Maqlouba and many others – which provide a balance of all the elements of meat, chicken, fish and beans.

A number of side dishes are also served during Ramadan such as cheese rolls, Sambousek, Hummus, etc. Arabic sweets are not to be missed during Ramadan. Delicious Sweets prepared during this holy Month and Qatayef is the most common dessert served in Ramadan.

When does Ramadan observe in Jordan The month lasts 29-30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts complied in the hadiths. This usually commemorated during second week of May to 1st week of June.

Traveling to Jordan during Ramadan Traveling to Jordan during Ramadan is nothing to worry about.  In fact it is a wonderful time to experience Jordan in Ramadan and much easier than what people expect. There is no expectation or legal requirement for visitors to fast.  So relax, Arabs are very generous and understanding people. You can still visit tourist attractions, which are less crowded. There are some special things you only experiment in Ramadan. At night streets are filled with people, you can go out at midnight without any fear or worry. Streets are decorated with moon lamps, a symbol of Ramadan because it starts and ends when we see the crescent moon. Ramadan has its own atmosphere that always reminds you with it.

But you need to keep the following in mind:

• It is better not to eat or drink in the streets during the fast time even it is allowed, just a sign of respect.
• Alcohol is not allowed to be sold in shops during Ramadan, you can only buy it in 5* hotels.
• The opening hours of some attractions are shortened in Ramadan, the ticket offices close at 15:30.

•   Public transport during Ramadan

The public transportations are available during the day, but remember that will be hard to get anywhere before an hour from Iftar time as drivers will be busy to break the fast.  

Are restaurants open during Ramadan? The biggest concerns for tourists when visiting Jordan in Ramadan understandably involve the rules around eating and drinking, and whether tourist attractions and restaurants will remain open. You don’t need to worry – other than being conscious of the people around you who are fasting, your trip will be largely unaffected.

Do not hesitate to Visit Jordan during Ramadan. It will be a special experience, and you will have an opportunity to learn about other people`s beliefs, traditions and culture.

What is Inside Petra… 30/01/2018

Fun at the Dead Sea… 28/05/2017

Biblical Sites in Jordan 23/05/2017

Sweets Please, A Quick… 14/03/2017

Exploring Amman in a… 25/05/2017

Discover the Roman City… 19/06/2017

Tips Before You Go To… 14/06/2017

Visa & Passport Requirements… 13/03/2017

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When is the best time to visit Jordan?

Dec 6, 2023 • 4 min read

From the Dead Sea Coast to the Bedouin camps in Wadi Rum, this guide to seasons and events in Jordan can help you plan your perfect trip © RuslanDashinsky / Getty Images

Jordan is a small country packed with wonderful attractions and experiences but don't let its compact size fool you – covering the major sites in one trip is no easy task.

Though it's largely covered by desert, the weather is not uniform and varies depending on altitude, location and season. When choosing the best time to visit Jordan , you’ll need to first decide what’s most important to you. 

Two of the biggest factors to consider are the weather and your budget. Summers in Jordan tend to be hot and dry while winters are cold and wet – if you’re interested in outdoor activities, fall and spring are your best bet. However, the ideal weather means you can expect larger crowds and higher prices.

We've got all the information you need to make an informed decision about the best time for your trip to Jordan,  no matter your interests or budget.

March to May and September to November are the best times for outdoor adventures

These two windows of pleasant weather – between the cold winter rains and hot summer sun – are ideal for all things outdoors: touring historical sites, hiking, rock climbing, rooftop bars and sleeping under the stars. Other travelers and locals will be out and about too, so expect crowds and peak season pricing. If you’re traveling to Jordan in the fall or springtime, it’s wise to book well in advance.

March and April are the perfect times to take a hike, especially in northern Jordan where wildflowers – including the gorgeous black iris — are blooming. Fans of long-distance running flock to the area to take part in the Dead2Red marathon relay from the shores of the Dead Sea to Aqaba City on the Red Sea. The temperature rises in May but hasn't yet hit the dizzying summer highs. It's the perfect time to head to the beach and enjoy a relaxing break. 

The upside of intensely hot summers warming up the landscape is that the Red Sea is still deliciously warm when the mercury starts to drop in September. It's the perfect time for snorkeling and diving and these ideal conditions continue until November. The annual olive harvest begins in late September/early October and a multi-day tour is the perfect way to experience it alongside the local community – Experience Jordan and Engaging Cultures have some great bespoke options.

Much like springtime, fall is ideal for stepping out to enjoy the top things to do in Jordan , including its natural beauty, beaches, hikes and historical sites. Expect higher prices and crowds. Temperatures – and consequently, hotel rates – begin to drop in November. This brief shoulder season is a good time to take a diving holiday for those visiting on a budget.

December to February is the best time for budget travelers, but pack for wet weather

Although winter in Jordan is short, the weather tends to be cold and wet across most of the country (with the exception of a few pockets of slightly warmer weather in places like the Jordan Valley and Aqaba ), making this the least popular season to visit.

Jordan receives 75% of its annual rainfall during this time, and heavy downpours can cause site closures, tour cancellations and flash flooding, so you’ll need to be flexible with your itinerary and expectations. If you're booking a rental property, check that it has heating.

Create a bad weather backup plan: indoor activities such as art workshops, museum visits and cooking lessons are a great way to ride out the winter storms. The good news is that there are fewer visitors and lower prices, so if you want to visit Jordan on a budget, this is the time to do it. 

As the temperature starts to rise a little in February, locals leave their homes to attend the Aqaba Traditional Arts Festival – a celebration and preservation of Bedouin culture in the seaport city.

June to August are the hottest months of the year

Summer in Jordan can be uncomfortably hot (surpassing 38ºC/100ºF on some days), so outdoor activities are not as enjoyable and can even be risky if you’re not properly hydrated and protected from the sun. June is the time of year to seek shade and cool water in wadis (canyons) and waterfalls.

But summer isn’t a true “low” season because travelers from Gulf countries, where temperatures are even higher, seek respite in Jordan. However, you can still expect fewer crowds at tourist sites, so be prepared to start early, avoid the midday sun, and always have water and sunscreen on hand.

Foodies will be pleased to find that fresh fruits – including watermelon, figs and dates – are in season and readily available at roadside stands.  

Clear skies make August a perfect time for stargazing. Book an overnight stay under the stars in Wadi Rum or on the rooftop of Feynan Ecolodge . 

Ramadan is a meaningful time for cultural understanding 

The dates for this sacred month for Muslims shift every year. Services, hours of operation, alcohol sales and more might be affected during Ramadan. Before booking your trip to Jordan, check to see if your planned dates overlap and read  our practical guide to visiting Jordan during Ramadan .

It will help you know what to expect, and then decide whether it’s a fit for you. For those interested in learning about Jordanian and Muslim culture, Ramadan can be a meaningful time to visit.

This article was first published April 2022 and updated December 2023

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Tightrope: Jordan’s balancing act between Iran and Israel

As regional tensions soar, the kingdom is contending with domestic as well as international pressures.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is caught between two regional powers and could face serious social, political and economic repercussions should regional tensions continue to intensify.

Jordan’s tenuous position means that any regional action – an intensification of hostilities between Iran and Israel or an Israeli invasion of Rafah – can have incendiary repercussions domestically.

Keep reading

Iran, israel and the potential for miscalculation, are jordan’s government and pro-palestinian protesters facing off, jordan’s king abdullah ii presses blinken to push for a ceasefire in gaza.

“Any imminent Iranian-Israeli war is going to put Jordan on a tightrope,” Sean Yom, an expert on Jordan at Temple University and the author of From Resilience to Revolution, told Al Jazeera. “Publicly, it has to stay out of the fray; it cannot side with any combatant.”

Jordan has pushed for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza and publicised its aid distribution efforts in the besieged enclave.

But that has done little to appease the scores of protesters who have rallied outside the US and Israeli embassies. Among their demands are ending relations with Israel and the United States.

Since October 7, protests in Jordan have ebbed and flowed as Israel’s campaign in Gaza killed more than 34,000 Palestinians.

Analysts say the monarchy has tried to press the US and Israelis for a ceasefire and an increase in aid entering Gaza, but those efforts have had little impact.

A more recent incident has enraged people further.

‘A matter of principle’

Overnight on Saturday, April 13, the Royal Jordanian Air Force took to the skies to intercept and shoot down dozens of Iranian drones as they flew over Jordan’s territory on their way to Israel.

Iran had fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike on Iran’s consular building in Damascus. A senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, was killed in the attack along with other commanders.

The Jordanian government said it was defending its national borders.

“There was imminent danger of drones or missiles falling in Jordan, and the Jordanian armed forces dealt with this danger in the appropriate manner,” Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said.

“We will not permit anyone to jeopardise the security of Jordan and the Jordanians … This is a matter of principle and these are steps we have taken in the past. We took them yesterday and we will take them in the future, whether the source of the threat is Israel, Iran or any [other] element.”

Jordanians have strong sympathy for Palestinians. Including an estimated two million Palestinian refugees, with a sizeable part of the population in Jordan being of Palestinian origin and native Jordanians having a strong solidarity with Palestine.

Some accounts on social media labelled Jordan’s King Abdullah “a traitor” for his country’s role in shooting down Iran’s drones.

Jordan’s actions also initially brought the ire of Iran. Fars News Agency, which the IRGC manages, said Iran’s armed forces threatened that Jordan could be a future target if they interfere with Iran’s military operations against Israel.

“The Iranians actually went after the Jordanians and the king and his family very aggressively,” Vali Nasr, professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University in the US, told Al Jazeera.

The two parties quickly buried the hatchet, with Iran’s Mehr News saying Safadi told Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian by phone that Israel would not “abuse its airspace”.

“On Sunday [April 14], the Revolutionary Guard proclaimed Jordan as a potential target as it saw the Hashemite Kingdom as collaborating with Israel, but on Monday [April 15], the Iranian Foreign Ministry smoothed over any ruffled feathers, calling Jordan a diplomatic partner and an ordinary state which had normal relations with Iran,” Yom said.

In fact, this incident could lead to warmer relations between Jordan and Iran. The two have discussed normalisation in the past and Nasr believes this incident may have acted as an accelerant.

“I think the Jordanians, much like the Saudis, will come to the conclusion that ultimately having zero relations with Iran does not really defend their interest,” he said.

Jordan’s tight spot

“Jordan may suffer collateral damage [in the event of a wider war],” Yom said. “It could suffer physical destruction, as well as economic injury from the loss of tourism revenues and potential trade flows.”

In the early hours of April 19, US officials claimed that an attack inside Iran had been carried out by Israel.

Explosions were heard in Isfahan and Iranian authorities said three drones had been downed but gave no credence to it being an external attack, saying only that an investigation would be launched. Israel did not claim responsibility.

Safadi took to social media the same day, posting: “We warn against the danger of regional escalation. We condemn all actions that threaten dragging the region into war…  Israeli-Iranian retaliations must end… The focus of the world must remain on ending the catastrophic aggression on Gaza.”

But for the Jordanian government, attempts at reaching some sort of calm in the region have not yielded much.

“[T]here is considerable frustration that allies like the US support Jordan’s national defence, but continually counter its policy preferences and its advice, by failing to secure a ceasefire, failing to prevent regional escalation, failing to get more aid to Palestinians suffering in Gaza, and then even being the sole veto in the vote for Palestinian statehood at the United Nations,” Curtis Ryan, author of three books about Jordan, told Al Jazeera.

“The king finds Netanyahu an impossible interlocutor,” said Jose Ciro Martinez, an expert on Jordan at York University in the United Kingdom.

Domestic troubles

“I think most Jordanians are upset that the kingdom is caught in the crossfire of regional conflict – one they didn’t ask for and one they don’t want to escalate,” Yom said.

A Jordanian researcher, who monitored the protests and requested anonymity, said most people were not surprised by their state’s reaction to the Iranian response, considering the close security ties with the US and Israel.

Some have even started selling missile fragments on an online marketplace.

Protesters did not flock to the streets over the downing of Iranian drones. While some criticised the government on social media, most of the frustration was directed elsewhere.

“Some criticised the government for cooperating with the US and Israel in shooting down the Iranian missiles and drones,” Yom said.

“But publicly, most lay the blame on Netanyahu’s government since the Israeli state is the actor that bombed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, not to mention the genocide in Gaza.”

Still, Jordan’s domestic situation will have the monarchy on edge. Even before October 7, the country was facing numerous challenges on its borders and domestically.

The economy, which took a major dive during the COVID-19 pandemic and had been slowly rebounding, was hit “massively” by the recent war, Ibrahim Saif, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and former Jordanian minister, told Al Jazeera.

“We have witnessed severe slowdown in some economic activities that impact Jordan directly and indirectly,” he said, mentioning tourism and the ambiguity surrounding the private sector.

“Now you can add the threats to cutting [funding for] UNRWA [the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] which serves at least one million people in Jordan. All of that has resulted in huge pressure on the Jordanian economy that also translates to politics.”

All eyes will now be on Rafah in Gaza, where residents fear a ground invasion by the Israeli army may be imminent.

Should that come to pass, protesters could descend to the streets again.

While protesters peacefully took to the streets in front of the Israeli embassy on Friday in solidarity with the people and resistance of Gaza, the energy of protests, particularly during Ramadan, has subsided even though hundreds still showed up around the Israeli embassy nearly every day, analysts and observers said.

Occasionally violent crackdowns and arrests , paired with what some analysts called protest fatigue or despair, may have discouraged them.

“Normally, if the protests are domestic, the king will replace a prime minister. But he can’t offer the protesters anything this time,” Martinez said. “When [the monarchy] has nothing to offer is when they start to arrest people.”

Jordan’s security forces have experience in managing protests. The use of arrests and occasional violence has taken the wind out of some of the demonstrations in the past, and the longer protests carry on, security forces will hope that participants will lose hope and go home. That, analysts and observers say, has started to happen.

“Protest fatigue has set in, as authorities have tolerated relentless popular mobilisation for months,” Yom said. “Many activists are resigned with a profound sense of despair that their actions are not going to change the situation.”

Middle East latest: Israel orders new evacuation in 'dangerous combat zone' in northern Gaza

The Israeli army has told people to leave in an area of northern Gaza close to where Israeli tanks made a new incursion overnight. Listen to a Daily podcast on how the conflict is worsening Yemen's humanitarian crisis as you scroll.

Tuesday 23 April 2024 21:59, UK

• Israel-Hamas war
• Israel orders new evacuations in northern Gaza
• Claims Israeli troops buried Palestinian bodies 'baseless and unfounded', IDF says 
• The big picture : What you need to know about the conflict in the Middle East right now
• Listen to the Sky News Daily above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts

We'll be back tomorrow morning with more updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

The Israel-Hamas war had left students in the US divided, with protests and arrests taking place across the country's educational establishments.

It's clear that positions are entrenched, views are polarised and emotions are very high.

Here, our US correspondent Mark Stone speaks to protesters...

People in Khan Younis who have been searching for their loved ones in the mass graves discovered in Khan Younis have been speaking to the Sky News team on the ground.

Moayed Suleiman Mahmoud Mustafa, 14, whose family was killed in airstrikes, told our team that he found his mother's body in one of the graves and buried her yesterday.

He is still looking for his sister, father and his cousin. 

The teenager said: "I only found my mother, we buried her yesterday. I am now looking for my sister, my father and my cousin.

"We took my mother from here and we buried her in our cemetery."

People in Gaza "want to rest", he said.

"We don't want to be living like that, we want to live," he added.

"There is no life. This is all for nothing. I feel sad, lonely, alone in the world."

Reem Zaydan said she was still searching for her son and believed he had been killed in January

"The day my son was martyred, I knew he was martyred without anyone telling me. A mother's instinct," she said.

"My son was displaced in an area, and he used to always contact us after any strike or anything. When Khan Younis in its entirety was besieged, he did not call us, unlike every other time.

"I have been coming here for days. Every day, I come from 6am until 2pm. I come from Rafah city and head to the same place. Once they finish their work, I go home."

Karima al-Ras, 55, who lives in Khan Younis, said she had found her son after two months of searching for him.

"Today, I came at 6am when I found my son, Ahmad," she said.

"His father died when he was 12, and I raised him. I gave him an honourable life. I made him study mechanical engineering. Cars would come to our doorsteps and he would fix them. Ahmad was beloved by everyone."

The IDF has called claims they buried Palestinian bodies "baseless and unfounded".

The military said the operation in the area of Nasser Hospital was to locate hostages and missing persons, and bodies "buried by Palestinians in the area of Nasser Hospital were examined". 

"The examination was carried out respectfully while maintaining the dignity of the deceased. Bodies examined, which did not belong to Israeli hostages, were returned to their place," the IDF said.

By Tom Cheshire, Ben van der Merwe and Sam Doak, Data and Forensics Unit

Israel has denied accusations that it buried Palestinians in a mass grave, following the discovery of more than 300 bodies in the courtyard of a Gaza Strip hospital.

The discovery of hundreds of bodies in the courtyard of Khan Younis's Nasser hospital prompted the Hamas-run government to accuse Israel of digging the graves "to hide its crimes".

The UN says it is investigating claims that some of the bodies had their hands bound and were stripped of clothing.

You can read the Data and Forensics team's full investigation here...

The US Senate has advanced a $95bn aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan towards the final vote, the final step before sending it to the White House for Joe Biden to sign into law.

One of the bills provides $61bn for Ukraine, a second $26bn for Israel and a third $8.12bn "to counter communist China" in the Indo-Pacific. 

It comes after the House of Representatives abruptly ended a months-long stalemate and approved the assistance in a rare Saturday session.

Joe Biden has promised to sign it into law as soon as it passes the Senate.

The risk of famine throughout Gaza, especially in the north, is "very high," Washington's special regional envoy for humanitarian issues has said this evening.

David Satterfield told reporters that Israel must do everything possible to facilitate efforts to avert a famine and called for more to be done to get aid to those in need, particularly in the north.

For context : Israeli strikes intensified across northern Gaza today and Israel ordered new evacuations in the area.

An Israeli army spokesperson said people are being urged to flee from the Beit Lahia area in the region's northeast.

The area lies a short distance from Beit Hanoun city, where Israeli tanks made a new incursion overnight.

Benjamin Netanyahu is "a failure who belongs in jail", the Palestinian president has said.

Earlier, Mr Netanyahu said on X he had hosted soldiers for the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. 

He said an empty chair had been left in the centre of the table and on it were the photos of all 133 hostages who are still in Hamas captivity. 

"I am committed to returning all the abductees home," he said.

Responding, Mahmoud Abbas said: "Stop lying, Netanyahu. 

"You have failed to return someone in more than 200 days. Your government has failed. You failed the Israeli people. You are a failure and belong in jail."

Palestinian health authorities have accused Israeli forces of killing a Palestinian man and wounding two people, including a child, during raids in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho and adjacent refugee camps.

The man had been standing outside his house in Jericho city, watching troops as they carried out a raid but had not been involved in any fighting, according to his uncle.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA said the two wounded, including a child, were hit by bullets during a separate incident in the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, just outside Jericho.

We have been reporting today on mass graves discovered near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

Our  Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall says now that Israeli forces have withdrawn from some areas in Gaza people are starting to uncover many of the dead.

"There have been accusations, including from the United Nations, that some of the bodies were found bound and gagged - the implication being that Israeli forces might have executed some of the Palestinians," he says.

"However, the Israeli military - in a statement released to us - has strongly refuted that. They've said it is baseless and unfounded.

"They say in some limited cases they dug up some bodies when intelligence led them to believe that some of the hostages might have been buried there.

"Having not made any of those discoveries they then respectfully reburied the bodies.

"I would add to that and say our team in Gaza has been to the site of the mass grave in recent days and we ourselves have not heard any accusations that any of the bodies have been found bound and gagged." 

Displaced Palestinians have been sheltering in a UNRWA-affiliated school in Deir al Balah, in the central Gaza Strip.

The scenes come as Israel bombarded northern Gaza overnight in some of the heaviest shelling in weeks, causing panic amongst residents and flattening neighbourhoods.

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Middle East Crisis Israeli Officials Lash Out Over Potential U.S. Sanctions on Military Unit

• Share full article

• Closed shops Sunday during a general strike in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Hazem Bader/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Posters in Tel Aviv with images of hostages who were taken during the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks. Hannah Mckay/Reuters
• The streets of Hebron were largely empty due to the strike. Hazem Bader/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
• Destruction after the Israeli military raid on the Nur Shams refugee camp. Associated Press
• Israeli forces at the scene of a shooting near Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. Mussa Qawasma/Reuters
• A funeral procession on Sunday for a Palestinian killed in an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank. Jaafar Ashtiyeh/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Netanyahu says U.S. sanctions against Israel’s military would be a ‘moral low.’

The United States is considering imposing sanctions on one or more Israeli battalions accused of human rights violations during operations in the occupied West Bank, according to a person familiar with the deliberations.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Saturday called the possibility of the Biden administration’s placing such sanctions “the peak of absurdity and a moral low” at a time when Israeli forces are fighting a war in Gaza against Hamas. Mr. Netanyahu said in a social media post that his government would “act by all means” against any such move.

The news about the possible sanctions, reported earlier by Axios , came only a day after the House approved $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza. The sanctions, if imposed, would not hold up the military aid that was just approved in Congress.

The possible imposition of sanctions against the Netzah Yehuda and other battalions would come under the so-called 1997 Leahy Law , which bans foreign military units accused of human rights violations from receiving U.S. aid or training.

It was not clear what practical impact any sanctions might have, given that funding of specific Israeli units is hard to track and the battalions in question do not receive American training. But such a punitive move would clearly sting, especially coming from Israel’s closest ally.

Netzah Yehuda, which has been accused of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank in the past, was established for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men whose strict religious observance demands that men and women be separated. The battalion has attracted other Orthodox soldiers as well, including hard-line nationalists from the West Bank settler movement.

One of the most egregious episodes attributed to the Netzah Yehuda battalion involved the death of a 78-year-old Palestinian-American man who was detained, gagged and handcuffed by members of the unit in a night raid on his village in January 2022.

An autopsy showed that the man, Omar Abdelmajed Assad, had died from a stress-induced heart attack brought on by injuries he sustained while he was detained. An investigation by the Israeli military’s justice system found failures in the conduct of the soldiers involved, who, the military said, “acted in a manner that did not correspond with what is required and expected of” Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military disciplined three of the unit’s commanders after the investigation. But no criminal charges were brought against the soldiers because, the military said at the time, no causal link was found between Mr. Assad’s death and the failures of the soldiers’ conduct.

Human rights organizations have long accused the Israeli military justice system of whitewashing wrongdoing and the military of acting with impunity.

The Biden administration has been putting Israel on notice over rising levels of settler violence against Palestinians and anti-settlement activists in the occupied West Bank, imposing financial and travel sanctions on several people and, most recently, on two grass-roots organizations raising funds for some of those individuals.

Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Mr. Netanyahu’s war cabinet and a former military chief, said imposing sanctions on Israeli military units would set “a dangerous precedent.”

The fierce denunciations came just hours after Israeli officials welcomed the bipartisan vote in Congress to approve billions of dollars in aid for Israel, underscoring the dramatic swings and contradictions that have characterized recent relations between President Biden and Mr. Netanyahu.

Mr. Biden has chided Mr. Netanyahu over civilian deaths in Gaza while nonetheless coming to Israel’s aid in repelling an attack this month from Iran and providing weapons used in the war in Gaza.

Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said that he talked recently with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Jacob J. Lew.

“Our friends and our enemies are closely watching the ties between Israel and the United States, now more than ever,” Mr. Gallant said in a statement on Monday. “I call on the U.S. administration to withdraw its intention to impose sanctions on the Netzah Yehuda battalion.”

Mr. Biden has faced months of criticism and fury — even from some members of his own party — over his backing of Israel’s war in Gaza as the death toll there has climbed, and any imposition of sanctions against an Israeli unit could be seen as a kind of counterweight. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed during the six months of war, according to Gazan health officials.

Mick Mulroy, a former C.I.A. officer and senior Pentagon official, said placing such sanctions on a close ally like Israel would be unusual, so “it should send a message.”

Charles Blaha, a former director of an office in the State Department’s bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, said he hoped any decision to impose sanctions “would provide incentives to Israel to improve accountability.”

Natan Odenheimer and Gabby Sobelman contributed reporting.

An earlier version of this article misstated a title once held by Charles Blaha. He is a former director of an office in the State Department’s bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, not a former director of the bureau.

How we handle corrections

— Isabel Kershner ,  Julian E. Barnes and Adam Rasgon Reporting from Jerusalem

A U.S. official says the military destroyed a rocket launcher in Iraq after rockets were fired toward a U.S. base.

The U.S. military destroyed a rocket launcher in Iraq in self-defense, an American defense official said late Sunday, after rockets were fired from the area toward a base used by U.S. forces in eastern Syria.

The attack on the base in Rumalyn, Syria, failed and no American personnel were injured, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

It was not immediately clear who had fired the rockets, or how many had been fired, toward the base in Syria. The U.S. military has about 900 troops in Syria to help battle the remnants of the Islamic State, and they have been targeted in dozens of attacks by Iran-backed armed groups based in Iraq since the war in Gaza began last October. The Iran-backed groups in Iraq have said that they view their mission as attacking Israel and its allies.

The rocket fire over the weekend was believed to be the first attack directed at U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria or Jordan since early February, when, at the request of leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran-backed groups in Iraq reined in their assaults on American personnel in the region.

That request came after an Iran-backed armed group launched a drone strike on Jan. 28 that killed three U.S. service members and wounded 34 others at a military outpost in Jordan near the Syrian border. The United States responded to that strike by targeting bases used by Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq and Syria, killing dozens of people including civilians, according to officials in both countries .

Since then, a few attacks had targeted Syrian Kurdish forces who work closely with the U.S. Special Operations forces in Syria, but there had been no known attacks aimed at American troops.

— Alissa J. Rubin and Julian E. Barnes

Palestinians go on strike in the West Bank to protest a deadly Israeli military raid.

Palestinians in the West Bank on Sunday went on a general strike to protest an Israeli military raid at a refugee camp a day earlier in which at least 10 people were killed, in an episode that illustrated the continuing unrest in the territory.

The raid was the latest operation in a sweeping economic and security clampdown in the territory occupied by Israel, even as it prosecutes its war against Hamas in Gaza. Since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed and detained in raids in the West Bank, which Israeli officials describe as counterterrorism operations against Hamas and other armed groups.

Sunday’s strike “paralyzed all aspects of life” in the West Bank, according to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, with shops, schools, universities and banks shuttered. Public transportation also came to a standstill.

It was not the first shutdown in the occupied West Bank — where about 500,000 Israeli settlers live alongside roughly 2.7 million Palestinians — as an act of protest in recent months . The Israeli authorities have tightened restrictions in the territory since Oct. 7, canceling thousands of work permits that allowed Palestinians to work in Israel and squeezing the West Bank’s economy.

And violence in the West Bank has sharply escalated in recent months. Nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces there since the Israel-Hamas war started, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Deadly violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank has also reached record levels since Oct. 7.

Early on Sunday, two Palestinian males in their late teens were fatally shot by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said one of them had opened fire at soldiers at a military post north of Hebron and the other had tried to stab them.

Later on Sunday morning, an Israeli man was slightly injured in an explosion in the West Bank, according to the Israeli emergency services. Video footage shared by Israeli news outlets showed him kicking down a Palestinian flag on a pole in a field near a settlement. The flag appeared to have been booby-trapped.

Those incidents came after the Israeli military’s hourslong raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp, in the northern part of the West Bank, on Saturday. The military called the raid a counterterrorism operation and said the 10 killed were militants, a claim that could not be immediately verified.

However, the Palestinian Ministry said that the Israeli operation in Nur Shams was responsible for the deaths of at least 14 people, including a 15-year-old boy. The Fatah party, which dominates the Palestinian Authority, labeled the operation a “heinous” crime and called on residents of the occupied territory to protest the raid.

The United States has called on Israel to increase commercial engagement with the West Bank, arguing that doing so was important for both Palestinians and Israelis. The war has also sent shock waves through Israel’s economy, which shrank nearly 20 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

— Vivek Shankar and Isabel Kershner

The House, with a bipartisan vote, approves an aid package for Israel.

The House voted resoundingly on Saturday to approve billions of dollars in aid for Israel as part of a larger package that would also fund Ukraine and Taiwan.

In four back-to-back votes, overwhelming bipartisan coalitions of lawmakers approved the new rounds of funding for the three U.S. allies.

The legislation allocates $26 billion for Israel and for humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones, including Gaza; $60 billion for Kyiv; and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific region.

The House approved assistance to Israel by a vote of 366 to 58. Representative Rashida Tlaib, Democrat of Michigan and a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, voted “present.”

Thirty-seven liberal Democrats opposed the aid package for Israel because the legislation placed no conditions on how Israel could use American aid, even though there have been thousands of civilian casualties and Gaza faces the risk of famine.

That was a relatively small sliver of opposition given that left-wing lawmakers had pressed their colleagues to vote “no” on the bill to send a message to President Biden about the depth of anger within his political coalition over his backing for Israel’s tactics in the war.

“Sending more weapons to the Netanyahu government will make the U.S. even more responsible for atrocities and the horrific humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is now in a season of famine,” said Representative Jonathan L. Jackson, Democrat of Illinois, speaking of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. “The United States Congress must be the moral compass. I continue to call for the release of all prisoners and hostages. I continue to pray and work for peace, security and stability.”

Mr. Netanyahu welcomed the news that the bill had passed in the House, saying it was “ much appreciated ” and a demonstration of “bipartisan support for Israel.”

Hamas condemned it, saying in a statement on Sunday that the aid allocation was “a confirmation of the official American complicity and partnership” in what the group described as Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

The Senate is expected to pass the legislation as early as Tuesday and send it to Mr. Biden’s desk, capping a tortured journey through Congress .

Isabel Kershner contributed reporting.

— Catie Edmondson

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