UAE moon-sighting committee ready to meet to declare Ramadan's end

If the new moon is spotted, this will indicate that the month of Ramadan has ended and Shawwal has begun. Eid celebrations will then take place. Galen Clarke / The National

The government's moon-sighting committee will meet on Wednesday to determine whether Ramadan has ended.

Dr Hadef Bin Jowan Al Dhahiri, the minister of justice, will chair the committee to decide whether the month of Shawwal has begun, according to the state news agency Wam.

He will be joined by Sultan Saeed Al Badi, the under-secretary of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, and some other officials.

The committee will meet after Maghreb prayer on Wednesday, August 7 - Ramadan 29.

Sharia courts across the country have been called to look out for the crescent moon and inform the committee.

If the new moon is spotted, this will indicate that the month of Ramadan has ended and Shawwal has begun. Eid celebrations will then take place.