Muslims perform isha prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Muslims perform isha prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Muslims perform isha prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Muslims perform isha prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan 2025: Holy month set to begin on March 1, Abu Dhabi astronomy centre predicts


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Ramadan is expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, across the Arab world, an astronomy centre in Abu Dhabi has said.

The International Astronomical Centre announced on Thursday that most Muslim countries will seek to observe the new crescent moon, heralding the start of the holy month, on Friday, February 28.

Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, director of the centre, said the crescent moon could be visible in some parts of the Arab world on that date. If the crescent moon is seen, Ramadan will be observed from the following day. If the moon is not visible, the holy month will begin on March 2.

Millions await start of Ramadan

  • Worshippers gather for Laylat Al Qadr prayers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Victor Besa / The National
    Worshippers gather for Laylat Al Qadr prayers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Victor Besa / The National
  • An Ethiopian man prays on the banks of Lake Karum, a salt lake in Afar Region, amid above-50° temperatures. AFP
    An Ethiopian man prays on the banks of Lake Karum, a salt lake in Afar Region, amid above-50° temperatures. AFP
  • Palestinians break their fasts amid the rubble of their destroyed homes in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
    Palestinians break their fasts amid the rubble of their destroyed homes in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
  • The faithful offer the final Friday prayers of Ramadan at Delhi's Jama Masjid. Reuters
    The faithful offer the final Friday prayers of Ramadan at Delhi's Jama Masjid. Reuters
  • A Palestinian worshipper at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters
    A Palestinian worshipper at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters
  • A Pakistani worshipper rests at a mosque in Karachi. EPA
    A Pakistani worshipper rests at a mosque in Karachi. EPA
  • An imam prays before iftar at Bronx's Masjid Ansarudeen in New York. AP
    An imam prays before iftar at Bronx's Masjid Ansarudeen in New York. AP
  • A Palestinian worshipper at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
    A Palestinian worshipper at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
  • Children pray outside the Hazratbal shrine in Indian Srinagar. AP
    Children pray outside the Hazratbal shrine in Indian Srinagar. AP
  • Indonesian children welcome Laylat Al Qadr in Ternate, North Maluku. AFP
    Indonesian children welcome Laylat Al Qadr in Ternate, North Maluku. AFP
  • V&A Dundee design museum in Scotland hosts iftar. Getty Images
    V&A Dundee design museum in Scotland hosts iftar. Getty Images
  • A worshipper reads the Quran at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. AFP
    A worshipper reads the Quran at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. AFP
  • Members of a motorcycle club distribute iftar in Damascus. AFP
    Members of a motorcycle club distribute iftar in Damascus. AFP
  • Palestinians being checked by Israeli soldiers as they head to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
    Palestinians being checked by Israeli soldiers as they head to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP
  • A worshipper reads the Quran at Sanaa's Grand Mosque. Reuters
    A worshipper reads the Quran at Sanaa's Grand Mosque. Reuters
  • A Shiite cleric at the shrine of Imam Ali in the city of Najaf, Iraq. Reuters
    A Shiite cleric at the shrine of Imam Ali in the city of Najaf, Iraq. Reuters
  • Displaced Palestinians gather for iftar in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
    Displaced Palestinians gather for iftar in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
  • People sit for iftar in Cape Town, South Africa. Reuters
    People sit for iftar in Cape Town, South Africa. Reuters
  • Students of an Islamic boarding school recite Quran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters
    Students of an Islamic boarding school recite Quran in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters
  • A charity-sponsored iftar gathering in Manama. Reuters
    A charity-sponsored iftar gathering in Manama. Reuters
  • A young worshipper gets ready for iftar in Fass Boye, Senegal. Reuters
    A young worshipper gets ready for iftar in Fass Boye, Senegal. Reuters
  • Fruits and snacks on sale in Dubai's Gold Souq area on a Ramadan evening Antonie Robertson / The National
    Fruits and snacks on sale in Dubai's Gold Souq area on a Ramadan evening Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A worshipper reads the Quran while waiting for iftar at Grand Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. Reuters
    A worshipper reads the Quran while waiting for iftar at Grand Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. Reuters
  • A young worshipper covers her ears as the cannon goes off marking the end of the day's fast at Duba's Expo City. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A young worshipper covers her ears as the cannon goes off marking the end of the day's fast at Duba's Expo City. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • People gather in streets for iftar in Ezbet Hamada in Cairo's Matariya suburb. AFP
    People gather in streets for iftar in Ezbet Hamada in Cairo's Matariya suburb. AFP
  • A man dries vermicelli, a popular ingredient used to make traditional Ramadan delicacies, in Hyderabad, Pakistan. AFP
    A man dries vermicelli, a popular ingredient used to make traditional Ramadan delicacies, in Hyderabad, Pakistan. AFP
  • A displaced Palestinian boy waits for food in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip. AFP
    A displaced Palestinian boy waits for food in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip. AFP
  • Worshippers gather for iftar at Imam Hussein Mosque in Satwa, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Worshippers gather for iftar at Imam Hussein Mosque in Satwa, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Worshippers offer Friday prayers at Jaamia Masjid in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. AP
    Worshippers offer Friday prayers at Jaamia Masjid in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. AP
  • Artists perform Sufi dance in Baghdad. AP
    Artists perform Sufi dance in Baghdad. AP
  • The faithful gather for prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP
    The faithful gather for prayer at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. AFP
  • Staff at Asateer tent of Atlantis The Palm in Dubai get ready to serve iftar. Pawan Singh / The National
    Staff at Asateer tent of Atlantis The Palm in Dubai get ready to serve iftar. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during the first evening of Ramadan 2024. Victor Besa / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque during the first evening of Ramadan 2024. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ramadan's inaugural Friday prayers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Ramadan's inaugural Friday prayers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • An Egyptian traditional Ramadan drummer in the city of Dikernis, about 150km north of Cairo. AP
    An Egyptian traditional Ramadan drummer in the city of Dikernis, about 150km north of Cairo. AP
  • Taraweeh prayers at Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah. Ahmed Ramzan for The National
    Taraweeh prayers at Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah. Ahmed Ramzan for The National
  • Saudis look for the Ramadan crescent moon in the southern Saudi city of Hautat Sudair. AFP
    Saudis look for the Ramadan crescent moon in the southern Saudi city of Hautat Sudair. AFP

Millions of people in the Emirates and around the world will observe Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar. The length of the month is determined by the lunar cycle. Muslims abstain from food and drink during daylight hours, with their fast allowing them to focus on faith and empathise with the less fortunate.

For many Muslims, Ramadan is an annual reset. It represents a complete change in routine, with worshippers reconsidering their priorities, increasing their piety and gathering with close friends and family. They typically also increase their charitable contributions and spend time on personal reflection.

If Ramadan begins on March 1, the final day of the holy month will either be on March 29 or 30. Ramadan will begin about three weeks before the end of spring term for many schools.

Iftar and prayer timings for Ramadan 2025

With Ramadan falling earlier on the Roman calendar every year, Muslims can expect to fast for a slightly shorter time period this year compared with last year. But the days become longer towards the end of the month.

This year, Muslims in the UAE will begin the month by fasting for about 14 hours and 13 minutes. The fasting time will steadily increase and by the end of Ramadan, the fast will last for 14 hours and 55 minutes.

The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission 10-speed automatic

Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

Pearls on a Branch: Oral Tales
​​​​​​​Najlaa Khoury, Archipelago Books

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

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Updated: February 25, 2025, 12:10 PM