Ramadan latest: reflection, celebration and congregation as UAE begins holy month

The latest reporting on the first day of Ramadan

Hundreds of Indonesian students perform afternoon prayers on the first day of Ramadan at Ar-Raudhatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. . EPA

Indonesian students sit in circles as they read the Quran on the first day of Ramadan at Ar-Raudhatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. EPA

A vendor preparing sweets as time to break the fast approaches, in Herat, Afghanistan. EPA

Palestinian vendor waits for customers during Ramadan, in the West Bank city of Nablus. EPA

A Pakistani Muslim poses as he tries on a traditional prayer cap at a shop in Rawalpindi ahead of the start of Ramadan. AFP

Palestinian vendor waits for customers during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in the West Bank city of Nablus. EPA

Pakistani vendors sell dates at their shops in Peshawar ahead of the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP

A man prepares cookies at a small traditional factory, on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan. Reuters

Indonesian Muslims read the Koran during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in Banda Aceh, Indonesia's Aceh province. AFP

A vendor preparing sweets as time to break the fast approaches, in Herat, Afghanistan. EPA

Workers take a break on the dome of a mosque under construction in Istanbul, Monday. The mosque in the historic Taksim square of central Istanbul which began to take shape in 2017, is expected to open for prayer later this year. AP Photo

Indonesian students read the Koran on the first day of Ramadan at Ar-Raudhatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. EPA

Pakistani Muslims leave the mosque in Rawalpindi ahead of the start of Ramadan. Muslims are preparing for Ramadan, which is calculated on the sighting of the new moon, and during which they fast from dawn until dusk. AFP

A woman rests at a mosque during the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan Monday in Bali, Indonesia. Muslims around the world marked the start of Ramadan on Monday, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. AP Photo

Palestinian reads verses from the Koran during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in the West Bank city of Nablus. EPA

Ramadan Mubarak, and welcome to The National's updates for the first day of the holy month.

Last night, the Moon Sighting Committee announced Ramadan would start on Monday, beginning a month of reflection and fasting but also festivities and congregation.

Here you will find coverage of the first day of Ramadan, from the most delicious iftars in the UAE to how the month is being celebrated across the world.

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00:15 UAE celebrates first Iftar of Ramadan 

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18:57 Fasting on the first day comes to an end

A canon is fired to mark the end of fasting on May 6 at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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18:15 Celebrating Ramadan around the world - in pictures

Muslim women pray on the first day of Ramadan at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta. Reuters

A women walks down a flight of stairs to a bustling central Amman on the eve of Ramadan. EPA

Indonesian Muslims pray in Banda Aceh. AFP

Muslims pray at the Turkish Ulu Mosque in Utrecht, The Netherlands. EPA

Iraqis buy sweets ahead of the first day of the holy month in central Baghdad. EPA

People shopping in Al Midan souq in the old city of Damascus, Syria. EPA

Jordanian shoppers walk past a giant Crescent Moon. EPA

People shopping in Al Midan souq in the old city of Damascus, Syria. EPA

Muslims pray in Utrecht, The Netherland. EPA

A vendor sells lanterns in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

A vendor sells dates in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA

Indonesian Muslim women performing an evening prayer. EPA

This drone picture taken shows Indonesian Muslims praying in Banda Aceh, in Aceh province, . / AFP

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17:27 An hour and a half until Maghrib

It is an hour and a half until the first Maghrib of Ramadan in 2019 in Abu Dhabi. For those fasting, this will mark the first iftar of the holy month.

For those in Dubai, subtract five minutes and those in Ras Al Khaimah can break their fast nine minutes earlier.

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16:30 Morning drummers: reminiscing about Ramadans of the past

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15:20 Ramadan arcade to return to Manarat Al Saadiyat

Ramadan Arcade is back for its second year. Courtesy Manarat Al Saadiyat

After a successful first event in 2018, Manarat Al Saadiyat's successful Ramadan Arcade will return for another year.

The event was established to "embrace cultural traditions in a contemporary setting", and aims to gather the community together to take part in cultural, social and entertainment activities.

In 2018, more than 8,000 people attended event, which is run by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

This year, a series of activities will be spread across five main zones. You'll find a mix of games, art and photography workshops, performances, shopping and food.

Ramadan Arcade takes place between May 9 and 12, 15 and 18, from 9pm to 2am.

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13:30 World leaders wish Muslims across the world a happy Ramadan

Leaders from across the world including the United States and United Nations have wished Muslims across the world a happy Ramadan, celebrating the values the holy month represents.

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the holy month's "core values of compassion, forgiveness, mercy and grace continue to inspire us all," while the United Kingdom's Prime Minister Theresa May said, "Ramadan represents the universal values of peace, reflection, devotion and charity."

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, "through the daily act of breaking fast and sharing a meal, Ramadan revitalizes community bonds and emphasizes community service. In this spirit, we reflect upon our mutual responsibilities for one another, regardless of faith, and strive to be our best selves."

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12:35 Instagram launches a brand-new camera effect

Instagram's new camera effect allows users to personalise their photos or videos for Ramadan. Supplied

Instagram users across the region can now celebrate the first day of the holy month in a new way on their social media.

Instagram has launched its first-ever camera effect designed especially for Ramadan, which was unveiled in a bid to encourage users to share their celebrations online.

The photo-sharing platform has created "Lantern", an effect that adds a glowing, orange-hued filter and Arabesque-inspired crescent shapes to images.

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12:00 Sheikh Hamdan uses Dubai's landmarks to tell his followers 'happy Ramadan'

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11:20 The best iftars in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

If you haven't had the opportunity to arrange iftar for tonight, or have space in your Ramadan diary then you might want to have a look at our guides for the best meals across two of the Emirates.

Whether you're looking for an affordable option for the whole family or pushing the boat out for a luxury meal, we have all you need to know to find the perfect option.

Here are the best iftars in Abu Dhabi and in Dubai. And if you're new to Ramadan or just want to fantasise about the delicious Ramadan specialities, here are our staff's favourite foods.

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10:45 Traffic incidents on first rush hour of month

A car crash has been reported on the E11, the road between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, on the first rush hour of Ramadan.

About a kilometre of traffic has built on the southbound lane heading from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.

Another accident was reported on Abu Dhabi-Al Shahama Road towards the capital, causing traffic to come to a standstill.

Car crashes are more common during Ramadan, thought to be due to dehydration or low blood sugar levels from those fasting.

Each year, police warn motorists to drive safely, particularly before iftar when some may be rushing home to break their fast.

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10:00 Today, Ramadan plans kick into action

Across the UAE and the Islamic world, planning for Ramadan has been in progress for months.

For families, it means sending out invitations to iftars or preparing food, while for businesses it can mean huge logistical operations.

Many hotels in the UAE erect tents to create that cosy iftar atmosphere, shelter from the summer heat and additional space for guests.

One such hotel is Le Royal Meridian in Abu Dhabi, whose iftar tent took five days to erect, as this video by The National's Victor Besa shows.

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08:45 First prayers of the holy month

The National's photographer Antonie Robertson was with worshippers at Al Salam mosque in Al Barsha 2 for morning prayers.

Worshippers mark the first day of Ramadan with morning prayers at the Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha 2 in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Worshippers mark the first day of Ramadan with morning prayers at the Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha 2 in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Worshippers mark the first day of Ramadan with morning prayers at the Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha 2 in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Worshippers mark the first day of Ramadan with morning prayers at the Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha 2 in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Worshippers mark the first day of Ramadan with morning prayers at the Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha 2 in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Worshippers mark the first day of Ramadan with morning prayers at the Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha 2 in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

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08:30 Mohamed bin Zayed exchanges Ramadan greetings with Arab leaders

UAE Rulers and leaders have been spreading the message of joy to the Muslim World on the first day of Ramadan.

On Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wished for a month filled with peace and tolerance.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, exchanged greetings with a number of leaders on the occasion of Ramadan.

Sheikh Mohamed spoke to Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, and the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, WAM reported.

He also conveyed the greetings of President Sheikh Khalifa to Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi, Iraqi President Barham Ahmed Salih, and Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed, Crown Prince of Kuwait.

Sheikh Mohamed offered his best wishes for further progress and prosperity for the leaders and their countries, Wam reported.

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Kabab karaz: A Ramadan feast from the Muslim World

Syrian lamb meatballs with sour cherries and pomegranate molasses. Photo: Kristin Perers

Half-Lebanese, half-Syrian, Anissa Helou's recipe for Kabab karaz is a feast for the soul, mind and belly.

From the award-winning book, Feast: Food of the Islamic World, the lamb meatball dish is attributed to Aleppo.

“If there is a dish that symbolises the cooking of Aleppo, this has to be it,” Helou says about this recipe, adapted from Syrian chef Maria Gaspard-Samra.

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Here are the prayer times for Ramadan

Imsak is the moment when those fasting must stop eating and drinking, while fajr is the time when the fast begins again, with the rising sun.

The fast lasts until Maghrib, when the sun goes down and iftar (breaking of the fast) begins.

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How to wish your friends and family a 'happy Ramadan'

There are many different ways to wish friends, families, colleagues and just people on the street a happy Ramadan.

Sometimes your preferred phrase might depend on where you are from, while others just depend on which one is your favourite.

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Comment: Ramadan is a time to seek answers to the hard questions

"Do you know what is a big tragedy?" I remember my imam saying. "The person who leaves Ramadan the same way he entered it."

For something that happens annually, it is amazing how no Ramadan is ever the same. Despite the structural order it imposes on our daily lives, from the time we break our fast to attending the nightly Taraweeh prayers, each Ramadan has its own flavours and experiences.

It is something I have learnt to appreciate as I grow older. Previously, I looked forward to the holy month because of the family atmosphere it engenders, focusing more on the social and festive aspects. But I now view it ­more as a much-needed spiritual detox from the hustle and bustle of the year, providing me with an opportunity to slow down and take stock of the past 12 months.

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Iftar at the Burj Khalifa: astronomic views but a longer fast

If you are dining at one of the restaurants in the world's tallest building, you might have to wait an additional four minutes to break your fast, Neil deGrasse Tyson said on Sunday.

Because you are so high up while dining at one of the Burj Khalifa's restaurants, you can see more of the Earth's curvature, and therefore it takes longer for the sun to go down, he said.

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Quick facts about Ramadan

What happens during Ramadan?: Ramadan is primarily about being more pious and seeking spiritual closeness to God. Some Muslims spend more time in the mosque during the holy month or read the Quran. Ramadan is a time when Muslims are expected to focus more on charity, patience and being grateful.

What is iftar?: Iftar is when Muslims break their fast. This is done when the sun sets, also know as maghrib.

What is suhoor?: Suhoor is when Muslims eat again before dawn.  All eating and drinking must stop at imsak, 10 minutes before dawn (fajr).

Working hours: According to the UAE Labour Law, working hours should be reduced by two hours per day during Ramadan for public and private sector employees.

Malls: Malls will be open all day and slightly longer in the evening.

Alcohol licensed areas: Most bars will sell alcohol after sunset, some hotels and restaurants will sell alcohol during the day.

Read the full guide here