BREAKING: Ramadan 2024 to start on Monday
Ramadan is around the corner and, despite being the holiest month for more than 1.9 billion Muslims around the world, the exact day it begins determined only a night or two in advance.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which is determined by Moon phases. This makes each month either 29 or 30 days long and is the reason for the variability as to when the holy month begins.
It is also why Ramadan falls 10 to 12 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
The presence of a new Moon signals the start of a new month in the Islamic calendar.
When does Ramadan begin?
While the exact date has yet to be confirmed, an Islamic calendar for 1445 in the UAE has been released.
From that, an astronomer had told The National Ramadan would probably fall on March 12 but it may also begin on March 11.
The start of Ramadan will depend on how long the month of Shaban lasts – 29 or 30 days. The UAE’s International Astronomy Centre announced the sighting of the Shaban crescent moon on February 10.
How is the start of Ramadan determined?
According to tradition, Ramadan begins once the new Moon is seen. Fasting begins the following sunrise.
Sharia courts nationwide will follow up and inform the committee of any sightings, while the Lunar Calendar Committee at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will look for evidence and inform the Moon-sighting committee of the findings.
Moon-sighting attempts are typically held across the UAE but not all manage to spot the crescent.
It is the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department that makes the decision after collecting reports from across the country.
Typically, Saudi Arabia leads the way in announcing the start and end of Ramadan in the region but each country has its own committee to confirm the presence of the new Moon.
What is the Moon-sighting committee?
The Moon-sighting committee is a group of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the country's Islamic authority that is formed and typically chaired by the Minister of Justice.
They meet after maghrib, or sunset, prayers on the 29th day of Shaban to look for the new crescent moon. If they see it, fasting begins the following day. If not, it will start the day after that.
Each year, the exact date when Ramadan starts is known only once the new crescent is seen.
The process is repeated around the time of the next new Moon. When that is spotted, Ramadan ends and Shawwal begins.
When is Eid Al Fitr?
Otherwise known as the Holiday of Breaking the Fast, Eid Al Fitr follows Ramadan directly.
It is most likely to fall on April 10 this year. If this comes to pass, public holidays will be in place for the private and public sector from April 9 to April 12.
Eid Al Fitr holidays are granted from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3 in the Islamic calendar, with the exact dates announced according to relevant Moon sightings.
The exact date will depend on when Ramadan begins and if the month lasts 29 or 30 days.
Opening hours
Malls tend to extend their opening hours during Ramadan, to allow later evenings and accommodate those fasting.
Supermarkets and grocery shops are open as normal.
Some restaurants may change their opening hours to respect those fasting, so it is wise to check beforehand.
Parking
Paid parking hours change across the emirates during Ramadan.
Information on times and payment will be displayed on parking meters in different areas.
Details for each emirate will be announced closer to the time.
What counts as breaking the fast?
There are valid exceptions to fasting during Ramadan, for healthy Muslims.
These include if a person unintentionally eats or drinks while fasting, if a person is suffering from an illness or if a woman is pregnant or menstruating.
For more detail on what may or may not invalidate a fast during Ramadan, Hussein Al Ahdal, Grand Mufti at Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, clarified specifics here.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
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Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
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Spain drain
CONVICTED
Lionel Messi Found guilty in 2016 of of using companies in Belize, Britain, Switzerland and Uruguay to avoid paying €4.1m in taxes on income earned from image rights. Sentenced to 21 months in jail and fined more than €2m. But prison sentence has since been replaced by another fine of €252,000.
Javier Mascherano Accepted one-year suspended sentence in January 2016 for tax fraud after found guilty of failing to pay €1.5m in taxes for 2011 and 2012. Unlike Messi he avoided trial by admitting to tax evasion.
Angel di Maria Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain star Angel di Maria was fined and given a 16-month prison sentence for tax fraud during his time at Real Madrid. But he is unlikely to go to prison as is normal in Spain for first offences for non-violent crimes carrying sentence of less than two years.
SUSPECTED
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid's star striker, accused of evading €14.7m in taxes, appears in court on Monday. Portuguese star faces four charges of fraud through offshore companies.
Jose Mourinho Manchester United manager accused of evading €3.3m in tax in 2011 and 2012, during time in charge at Real Madrid. But Gestifute, which represents him, says he has already settled matter with Spanish tax authorities.
Samuel Eto'o In November 2016, Spanish prosecutors sought jail sentence of 10 years and fines totalling €18m for Cameroonian, accused of failing to pay €3.9m in taxes during time at Barcelona from 2004 to 2009.
Radamel Falcao Colombian striker Falcao suspected of failing to correctly declare €7.4m of income earned from image rights between 2012 and 2013 while at Atletico Madrid. He has since paid €8.2m to Spanish tax authorities, a sum that includes interest on the original amount.
Jorge Mendes Portuguese super-agent put under official investigation last month by Spanish court investigating alleged tax evasion by Falcao, a client of his. He defended himself, telling closed-door hearing he "never" advised players in tax matters.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
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THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
