Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has completed its preparations to welcome thousands of worshippers and visitors during Ramadan.
The first day of Ramadan is expected to fall on March 11 this year, after the UAE's International Astronomy Centre announced the sighting of the Sheban crescent moon on February 10.
This marked the countdown to the month-long fast.
The internationally renowned place of worship last year welcomed 684,945 guests from around the world, state news agency Wam reported.
A record of more than 60,000 worshippers also visited the mosque on the 27th night of Ramadan to observe Laylat Al Qadr.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre said it has formed committees and teams to ensure that it meets the needs of worshippers and visitors throughout the holy month.
It has also enlisted 580 volunteers to work alongside the centre's employees, the Emirates Red Crescent, police officers, paramedics and the civil defence.
The centre has also provided more than 70 electric cars to transport worshippers from car parks to prayer halls, with priority going to the elderly and the disabled, as well as about 50,000 breakfast meals for workers.
There will also be 8,379 available parking spaces, including 1,500 for women and more than 60 for those with disabilities. There are over 3,515 chairs and 50 wheelchairs for worshippers.
Additional parking will be provided at Erth Hotel, Zayed Sports City and adjacent to Wahat Al Karama.
The centre has also provided more than 1,480 carpets for worshippers and cleaned and sterilised carpets in the mosque's halls and courtyard to ensure the safety of worshippers.
The SZGMC has collaborated with the Ministry of Defence to fire the canon announcing the beginning of Ramadan in co-ordination with the Ramadan Moon Sighting Committee.
They will fire the cannon daily at the mosque throughout the holy month to mark Iftar and to announce the start of Eid Al Fitr.
Ramadan is observed by more than 1.8 billion Muslims and is believed to be the month when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
Fasting during the holy month is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims who are in good health.
Watch: UAE Ramadan 2024 working hours announced
How to help or find other cats to adopt
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2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
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Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
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335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
