<p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai is parting with a longstanding requirement that restaurants be covered by curtains in the daytime during Ramadan to shield the sight of food from people fasting. </p>
<p>The move, announced Sunday by the city-state’s Economic Development Department, is the latest change aimed at boosting tourism in the autocratically ruled Muslim nation. </p>
<p>“Restaurants will be allowed to serve customers without putting in place curtains, dividers or facades as has been the mandatory practice previously,” the state-run WAM news agency said. “The new circular replaces circulars issued in previous years that have required restaurants to block dining areas from the sight of those who are fasting.”</p>
<p>The new rules also don’t require restaurants to obtain special permits to serve food during sunlight hours as well. </p>
<p>During Ramadan, Muslims observing the holy month abstain from food and drink — even water — during the day. Muslims traditionally break the daylong Ramadan fast with their first sips of water and their evening meal, called iftar.</p>
<p>Among Gulf Arab states, home to large, non-Muslim expatriate populations, most require curtains be put up to block the sight of food from those fasting. Eating and drinking in public also could bring fines and legal trouble.</p>
<p>Dubai, one of the seven sheikhdoms in the United Arab Emirates, long has been a tourism destination for those wanting beaches, shopping and partying in this skyscraper-studded city. However, Ramadan always represented a slower period due to its restrictions. </p>
<p>In recent years, hoping to boost tourism as Ramadan will be marked during its crucial winter months, Dubai has started to change. In 2016, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/46e38663f4594f6f832e0619297d8735">Dubai loosened rules prohibiting daytime alcohol sales. </a></p>
