Millions of people in the Emirates will observe Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Ramadan is this year expected to begin on Saturday, March 1, however, the start date will be confirmed by the UAE's moon-sighting committee.
Each month in the Islamic calendar lasts 29 or 30 days, with its start heralded by the sighting of the new crescent moon. This means that the start date of Ramadan, and Eid Al Fitr, are not known long in advance.
If Ramadan does begin on March 1 as projected, the final day of the holy month will either be on March 29 or March 30. Ramadan will begin about three weeks before the end of spring term for many schools.
Also read: When does the UAE school year end?
Eid Al Fitr could fall between Monday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 2, astronomers at the Emirates Astronomical Society previously told The National.
Why is Ramadan in March significant?
Schools will probably begin holidays at the end of the spring term during Ramadan, on about March 21, with many pupils not scheduled to return until April 7. Ramadan will start a couple of weeks after the half-term break, which is due to take place in mid-February.
Ramadan will also be taking place in the peak tourism season across the UAE, which typically lasts from November until April. It was not long ago that few restaurants would be open during fasting hours and diners would often be seated behind curtains.
However, those rules have largely been relaxed in recent years, with most cafes and restaurants operating normally and many extending their opening hours from morning until midnight.
How accurate are astronomers' predictions?
In May, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the chairman of the Emirates Astronomical Society, said the precision with which the lunar cycle position can be determined using astronomical calculations.
“We can accurately predict the new Moon's position for up to 100 years in advance based on certain elements,” he told The National. “However, an official confirmation is required from the Ministry of Justice despite the scientific accuracy.”
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth and most holy month of the Islamic calendar. It is said to be the month that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn until sunset, between the fajr and maghrib prayers, during Ramadan.
For Muslims, Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food. It is also a time when people strengthen their faith through Quran recitation and prayer. The exact date will be decided by the Moon-sighting committee, a group of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the UAE's Islamic authority.
The Islamic calendar is decided by Moon phases, which are either 29 or 30 days long. The presence of a new Moon signals the start of a month. The committee will begin searching for the new crescent Moon after maghrib prayers on the 29th day of Shaban, the month preceding Ramadan.
If it cannot be seen, it is considered to be the 30th day of the month. However, if the new crescent is spotted, Ramadan begins the next day.
What are a Muslim's obligations during Ramadan?
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims who are in good health. Children, and anyone who is sick, pregnant, nursing or menstruating are exempt from fasting, along with people travelling long distances.
During Ramadan, many Muslims increase their charitable work, spend more time with loved ones and strengthen their faith. Some may abstain from listening to music and quit habits such as smoking or drinking too much coffee.
Some Muslims will also perform Umrah – an optional pilgrimage to Makkah, the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed in Saudi Arabia. Umrah can be done at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which has specific dates.
Prayer is another one of the five pillars of Islam and is required of all able Muslims five times a day. During Ramadan, an additional optional night prayer is performed after isha called taraweeh. Muslims typically try to pray at a mosque as it is thought there is a greater reward in communal prayer. During the final 10 nights of Ramadan, when Muslims increase their piety, some may choose to perform tahajjud prayers – also known as qiyam al layl – which are carried out after taraweeh throughout the evening.
How Ramadan impacts UAE working hours
Private sector employees have their working day shortened by two hours during Ramadan while official working hours for the public sector are shorter still.
Last year, official working hours for ministries and federal agencies during the Holy Month started at 9am and ended at 2.30pm, from Monday to Thursday. Working hours on Fridays were 9am to noon.
The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources also allowed a maximum of 70 per cent of government staff to work from home on Fridays.
Watch: First cannon fired in Abu Dhabi for Ramadan 2024
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
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How many games the top 10 have undertaken in the 2017 ATP season
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7. Marin Cilic 43 (29-14)
8. Dominic Thiem 60 (41-19)
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10. Kei Nishikori 43 (30-13)
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
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Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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