Gulf States in February 2026: the most important developments in society
Daily life in the Gulf States in February 2026 was disrupted on 28 February by regional tensions. The Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi issued an advisory urging its citizens in the UAE to take caution, and the UAE government announced a shift to distance learning for students at schools and universities. Passengers described chaotic scenes at Dubai International Airport after flight disruptions, one calling the situation 'chaos personified', and the UAE pledged to cover all expenses of passengers affected by flight changes. UAE authorities warned the public against sharing unverified information and spreading rumours online. A Belarusian diplomat said citizens in Qatar had been advised to remain in their hotels, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the death of a Pakistani national in the UAE.
Earlier in the month, preparations for Ramadan dominated. The UAE announced reduced working hours for the public sector on 11 February and for the private sector a day later, and Dubai set a 5.5-hour public-sector workday with a remote work option. Saudi Arabia and the UAE called for the crescent moon to be sighted on 17 February, while Oman announced 19 February as the first day of the month. Dubai Police announced the locations of the traditional iftar cannon firings.
Other items included the opening of a new academic medical city in Dubai with 3,000 students and 1,000 jobs, and remarks by leaders at the Al Jazeera Forum on 7 February warning that the war in Gaza risks the global order. Saudi Arabia's Hajj Ministry confirmed its readiness for the 1447 pilgrimage season.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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