President Sheikh Mohamed has sent well-wishes to the UAE and the Arab world on the eve of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has sent well-wishes to the UAE and the Arab world on the eve of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has sent well-wishes to the UAE and the Arab world on the eve of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has sent well-wishes to the UAE and the Arab world on the eve of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

President Sheikh Mohamed sends Ramadan 2024 greetings to UAE and rest of the world


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President Sheikh Mohamed has sent out a message of congratulations to mark the start of Ramadan.

Ramadan will begin in the UAE on Monday, authorities announced on Sunday.

The Moon-sighting committee met at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department after maghrib (sunset) prayers on Sunday and announced that they sighted the new crescent moon.

It follows a decision from Saudi Arabia that Ramadan would commence on Monday after its committee sighted the crescent moon there.

"With the start of Ramadan, I extend my best wishes to all those observing the holy month," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X.

"May this period of reflection and prayer bring us closer together and strengthen our bonds of unity and compassion. I wish you a blessed Ramadan filled with peace, harmony and spiritual growth."

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, shared similar messages on the advent of the holy month.

Sheikh Mohammed also offered his well-wishes to the people of the UAE and the region for Ramadan.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared similar sentiments to mark the beginning of the holy month.

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam and observed by more than 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. It is said to be the month the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and mandatory for all Muslims in good health.

As well as abstaining from food and drink, Ramadan offers a period of reflection for worshippers, allows them to strengthen their faith, share time with loved ones and take part in charitable acts to help those less fortunate themselves.

Preparations around the world ahead of Ramadan 2024 – in pictures

  • A displaced Palestinian child sells handmade Ramadan lanterns in Rafah. AFP
    A displaced Palestinian child sells handmade Ramadan lanterns in Rafah. AFP
  • Muslims gather to celebrate the beginning of Ramadan at the Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Mosque, in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. EPA
    Muslims gather to celebrate the beginning of Ramadan at the Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Mosque, in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil. EPA
  • People visit the graves of family members in Surabaya, during a tradition before the start of Ramadan. AFP
    People visit the graves of family members in Surabaya, during a tradition before the start of Ramadan. AFP
  • An Egyptian baker prepares Knafeh ahead of Ramadan in Giza, Egypt. EPA
    An Egyptian baker prepares Knafeh ahead of Ramadan in Giza, Egypt. EPA
  • A vendor of copper Islamic figures at his shop at El Moez Street in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
    A vendor of copper Islamic figures at his shop at El Moez Street in Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
  • Traditional sweets are prepared ahead of Ramadan, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. EPA
    Traditional sweets are prepared ahead of Ramadan, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. EPA
  • Workers clean the carpet in the Badshahi Mosque in preparation for Ramadan, Lahore, Pakistan. AP
    Workers clean the carpet in the Badshahi Mosque in preparation for Ramadan, Lahore, Pakistan. AP
  • People buy prayer caps in Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA
    People buy prayer caps in Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA
  • People shop for decorations at a shop in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
    People shop for decorations at a shop in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
  • A Pakistani man cleans a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
    A Pakistani man cleans a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
  • A woman stands in front of the Lagos Central Mosque in Lagos. AFP
    A woman stands in front of the Lagos Central Mosque in Lagos. AFP
  • Palestinian children look at toys in Gaza city, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants, as Ramadan nears. AFP
    Palestinian children look at toys in Gaza city, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants, as Ramadan nears. AFP
  • A view of the Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus in London. AP
    A view of the Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus in London. AP
  • An Iraqi man sells traditional lanterns at the Shorja market in central Baghdad. AFP
    An Iraqi man sells traditional lanterns at the Shorja market in central Baghdad. AFP
  • People attend the opening of the Ramadan Market in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
    People attend the opening of the Ramadan Market in Beirut, Lebanon. EPA
  • People celebrate along a street ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Giza, Egypt. EPA
    People celebrate along a street ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Giza, Egypt. EPA
Europe’s rearming plan
  • Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
  • Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
  • Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
  • Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
  • Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

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Updated: March 10, 2024, 4:07 PM