President Sheikh Mohamed has expressed his best wishes for the holy month. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has expressed his best wishes for the holy month. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has expressed his best wishes for the holy month. Chris Whiteoak / The National
President Sheikh Mohamed has expressed his best wishes for the holy month. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE

Ramadan

President Sheikh Mohamed exchanges Ramadan greetings with Arab leaders

The President spoke with the leaders of Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia

The National

March 23, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

President Sheikh Mohamed has exchanged Ramadan greetings with a number of other Arab leaders, as the holy month began in the UAE on Thursday.

He shared his best wishes for the month ahead and called for “peace and harmony” for people in the UAE and across the globe.

The President spoke with Bahrain's King Hamad, Jordan's King Abdullah II, Egypt's President Abdel Fatah El Sisi and Tunisia's President Kais Saied, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.

Sheikh Mohamed and the other Arab leaders expressed their hopes for sustained prosperity and progress in Arab and Muslim nations.

They also prayed to God for stability to prevail across the world.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also received similar messages marking the occasion.

On Thursday, Muslims in the UAE attended the first morning prayers of Ramadan this year.

The fajr morning prayer marks the beginning of daily fasting.

This year, Muslims in the Emirates will begin the month by fasting for about 14 hours 45 minutes.

As the days lengthen, the fasting time will increase. By the last day of the holy month, the fast will be about 46 minutes longer than on the first.

On Wednesday night, Ramadan cannons were fired twice to herald the beginning of the holy month.

Ramadan cannon firing takes place in a number of locations in the UAE, including in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain

During the holy month, these will be fired daily to announce maghrib — sunset — prayers.

After maghrib, Muslims break their fast with an iftar meal.

Ramadan 2023 first prayers - in pictures

  • Al Bidya Mosque in Fujairah, which dates back to the 15th century. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Al Bidya Mosque in Fujairah, which dates back to the 15th century. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Worshippers outside Al Bidya Mosque, the oldest mosque in the UAE that is still in use. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Worshippers outside Al Bidya Mosque, the oldest mosque in the UAE that is still in use. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Inside Al Bidya mosque at the start of Ramadan. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Inside Al Bidya mosque at the start of Ramadan. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The Bani Hashim Mosque in Abu Dhabi, on the first morning of Ramadan. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The Bani Hashim Mosque in Abu Dhabi, on the first morning of Ramadan. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Worshippers at the first early morning Ramadan prayer at the Bani Hashim Mosque. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Worshippers at the first early morning Ramadan prayer at the Bani Hashim Mosque. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The first early morning Ramadan prayer at the Bani Hashim Mosque. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    The first early morning Ramadan prayer at the Bani Hashim Mosque. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Imam Rashid Zobair, who is originally from Morocco, leads early morning Ramadan prayer at the Bani Hashim Mosque. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Imam Rashid Zobair, who is originally from Morocco, leads early morning Ramadan prayer at the Bani Hashim Mosque. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Worshippers at the Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque on the first morning of the holy month. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Worshippers at the Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque on the first morning of the holy month. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Worshippers at the Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Worshippers at the Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The first morning prayer of Ramadan at the Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque. Antonie Robertson/The National
    The first morning prayer of Ramadan at the Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah during the first evening prayer of Ramadan. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah during the first evening prayer of Ramadan. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Worshippers arrive at Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the second largest in the UAE, for the first evening prayer of Ramadan. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Worshippers arrive at Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the second largest in the UAE, for the first evening prayer of Ramadan. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Worshippers at Sheikh Zayed Mosque for the start of the holy month. Leslie Pableo for The National
    Worshippers at Sheikh Zayed Mosque for the start of the holy month. Leslie Pableo for The National
While you're here
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.

Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.

For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae

 

How Apple's credit card works

The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.

What does it cost?

Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.

What will the interest rate be?

The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts

What about security? 

The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.

Is it easy to use?

Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision. 

* Associated Press 

Updated: March 23, 2023, 7:29 AM
UAERamadan 2026Sheikh Mohamed bin ZayedSheikh Mohammed bin Rashid