Ramadan: UAE Moon-sighting committee to search the skies on Tuesday

Emergence of crescent marks start of holy month for Muslims around the world

Nezar Hezam Sallam, an astronomer searching for the new crescent Moon. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The UAE's Moon-sighting committee will meet on Tuesday evening to determine the start of Ramadan.

If the new crescent is spotted, fasting will begin at dawn on Wednesday.

If the spotters cannot see it due to clouds, they will meet the following evening and fasting will not begin until Thursday at the earliest.

The committee will meet after the Maghreb prayer at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

The meeting will be attended by several high-ranking officials and led by Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice.

According to Wam, Sharia courts across the country will monitor and notify the committee of any sightings, while the Lunar Calendar Committee will report its findings to the Moon-sighting Committee.

On Sunday, the Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia called on the public to look for the crescent Moon from Tuesday.

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.

Those exempt include young children, anyone who is sick, travellers and women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating.

Ramadan is also considered a nocturnal month for Muslims who end their daily fast at sunset, then begin longer-form Taraweeh prayers that are traditionally followed by social gatherings that last into the night.

Moon-sighting significance

The sighting of the Moon signifies the start and the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Religious authorities in the Middle East and beyond will soon begin scanning the night sky for the first glimpse of a crescent Moon.

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is preceded by the month of Shabaan.

The month of fasting and spirituality begins when Moon-sighting committees convene after sunset on Shabaan 29 to look for a crescent Moon, in a tradition that has lasted thousands of years.

The crescent Moon is an important symbol in Islam and is used in Ramadan decorations.

It can often be seen hung outside homes, on Ramadan lanterns and even on gift-wrapped chocolates, dates and sweets exchanged by family, friends and neighbours.

Ramadan preparations around the world: in pictures

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  A worker cleans part of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque ahead of Ramadan, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. AFP

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  Ramadan lights lit up at Piccadilly Circus in central London for the first time. Reuters

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  A vendor prepares khajla deep-fried pastry in Karachi, ahead of the holy month. EPA

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  Palestinians add the final touches to a crescent moon and star decoration in preparation for Ramadan, just outside Jerusalem's Old City. AP

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  A member of the Saudi security forces stands on duty at an entrance to the Grand Mosque of Makkah ahead of Ramadan, with the holy city's Clock Tower in the background. AFP

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  A man carries a traditional lantern at Sayyeda Zeinab Ramadan market in Cairo, before the start of the holy month. AFP

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  Palestinian artisan Maan Al Muhtaseb makes traditional lanterns and decorations ahead of Ramadan in Hebron city in the occupied West Bank. AFP

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  Visiting graves at a Covid-19 cemetery in Depok, Indonesia. The practice is one of the traditions carried out by Muslims before Ramadan in the South-east Asian country. EPA

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  An Egyptian family out shopping for traditional decorative Ramadan lanterns, called Fanous, in the Sayyidah Zaynab district in Cairo. Reuters

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  Palestinian workers sort and pack dates at a factory in preparation for the holy month in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

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  A torch parade to welcome the holy month that will start around March 23, in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. AFP

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  A Ramadan lantern is hung on a wall painted in vivid colours in the Zeitun district of Gaza city. AFP

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  An Egyptian buys a Ramadan lantern at a workshop in Cairo. EPA

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  Street decorations for the holy month of Ramadan in Giza, Egypt. EPA

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  Architect Shahed Saleem in the Ramadan Pavilion at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, on show until May 1. PA

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  Palestinian artisan Reham Shurab makes traditional 'fanous' lanterns at her home workshop in the Gaza Strip. AFP

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  Workers sew women's prayer clothes called Mukenah at the Siti Khadijah clothing factory in Depok, Indonesia. EPA

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  Shoppers buy fresh produce at the Sidi Moussa market in Morocco's Atlantic coastal city of Sale. AFP