Rest of the World
Moon Sighted In UAE; Ramadhan 2020 Starts Tomorrow, Friday
Ramadhan will commence on Friday, April 24, the United Arab Emirates, UAE’s moon-sighting committee declared late on Thursday. The Holy month of fasting observed by Muslims around the world lasts for 29 or 30 days (lunar cycle) and is dependent on the Hijri or Islamic calendar.
The declaration was made after the committee’s meeting after Maghreb prayers.
The Holy month of Ramadhan observed by Muslims around the world lasts for 29 or 30 days (lunar cycle) and is dependent on the Hijri or Islamic calendar.
The first day of Ramadhan is traditionally marked by the sighting of the crescent moon with the naked eye, and is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. April 23 is 30th of Sha’ban which is the last day of the Islamic month right before Ramadhan.
During Ramadhan, adult Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. The start and end of the fast is commemorated by prayer times – Fajr prayers in the morning marks the start while Maghrib prayers mark the end of the fast for the day.
The fast commences after a light meal before Fajr called ‘suhour’ while the meal ending the fast is called ‘iftar’. On Friday, in Dubai the first day of Ramadan, Fajr timing is at 4.27am, while Maghreb is at 6.49pm.
It is authorized for COVID-19 patients not to fast Ramadhan, the UAE Fatwa Council declared on Sunday. Healthy people must fast, declared the council following a virtual meeting chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, a few days prior to the start of the fasting month — expected to fall on Friday, April 24.
During Ramadhan, Muslims pray every night, reciting several chapters each day until the Quran is completed by Eid Al Fitr. This is called the Taraweeh prayer, which is recited after Isha prayers mid-evening.
This year, Muslims will observe a Ramadhan like none before due to the spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Congregational and Taraweeh prayers will be performed at home since mosques and places of worship will continue to be shut throughout Ramadan for people’s safety.
Eid-Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadhan on the first day of Shawwal. The three-day festival is also a public holiday in the UAE. The dates will be authenticated later by authorities.
