Latest: Ramadan 2021 start date announced in UAE
The UAE announced working hours for private sector employees during Ramadan.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation said yesterday working hours would be reduced by two hours during the holy month.
These reduced hours were revealed by Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Nasser Al Hamli.
Ramadan is expected to start on April 12, but the final date will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee.
The Moon-sighting committee – a group of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the country’s Islamic authority – typically convenes after maghrib, or sunset, prayers on the 29th day of Sha’ban to look for the new crescent moon.
If they spot it, Ramadan begins the following day. If not, Sha’ban will last 30 days and Ramadan will begin thereafter.
Article 65 of the UAE’s Labour Law states that the normal working hours for the private sector are eight a day or 48 hours a week, though many employees typically work nine-hour days.
On Thursday, the working hours for Ramadan for government employees across the country were confirmed.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said working hours would be from 9am until 2pm.
Government departments typically work a seven-hour day outside of the holy month.
Last month, education chiefs across the country amended the school day before the start of Ramadan.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai’s private education regulator, said private schools would have to cut their day to five hours from the usual seven.
Mohammed Darwish, chief executive of permits and compliance at the authority, said schools could choose what times they start and end after consulting with parents.
“During Ramadan, the whole school community – including pupils, teachers and parents – will be spending extra time in prayer with their families,” Mr Darwish said.
“We ask schools to be mindful of this with regards to the amount of homework and assignments set for pupils.”
Private schools in Abu Dhabi will also shorten the school day to five hours.
Abu Dhabi private schools cannot start the day before 9.30am and must end by 3.30pm.
The Sharjah Private Education Authority said the school day will last between three and five hours throughout the holy month.
Schools have been directed to assign less homework and conduct fewer tests during this period.
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Cricket World Cup League Two
Teams
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
Fixtures
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Oman
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
