Dubai: The first day of Ramazan is traditionally marked by the sighting of the crescent moon with the naked eye, and is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Although it is generally customary to wait for the official announcement of Ramazan by the moon-sighting committee in Saudi Arabia, astronomers have estimated when the first of the Holy Month is likely to fall.
“The crescent will be formed on Tuesday May 15 but it will be impossible to see it after sunset,” he said.
Due to the absence of the moon’s visibility in the UAE, says Al Jarwan, Ramazan cannot fall on Wednesday. Instead, the crescent moon will be significantly visible on Wednesday after sunset, “making the first day of Ramazan on Thursday.”
Al Jarwan also said that Muslims will be fasting for over 15 hours, and that temperatures throughout June will range from 26-41 degrees Celsius, while areas across the country will be affected by heat waves every 10 to 14 days.
On the first day of Ramazan, Fajr prayer will be at 4.05am and Magrib at 6.58pm.
However, most Islamic countries are expected to carrying out the moon sighting on Tuesday to determine the first of day of Ramazan for the Hijri (Islamic) year.
Al Hijri, which means “the migration”, is when the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his followers migrated from Makkah to Madinah to escape his tribe’s harm and torture.
COURTESY: Gulf News
