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Ramadan 2023: UAE to look for crescent moon today

The sighting of the crescent marks the beginning of the holy month

Published: Mon 20 Mar 2023, 3:38 PM

Updated: Tue 21 Mar 2023, 12:37 AM

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The UAE will look for the Ramadan crescent moon today, Tuesday, March 21. The country’s moon sighting committee will meet after the Maghrib (sunset) prayer to determine the start of the month.

All Sharia courts in the UAE will look for the crescent moon today and inform the committee if they sight it.

The moon-sighting committee will meet at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. Presided over by Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, several high-ranking officials will attend the meeting.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia earlier called on Muslims to sight the crescent of the holy month on Tuesday evening as well.

The appearance of the crescent moon signals the start of the month, as is the case with all months in the Islamic Hijri calendar.

If spotted today, the holy month will begin on Wednesday, March 22. If not, the month starts on Thursday, March 23. Astronomical calculations suggest that the month is most likely to begin on Thursday.

Islamic months last for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the moon is sighted.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. As per astronomical calculations, it will last for 29 days this year. The first day of Eid Al Fitr is likely to be on Friday, April 21.

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