The UAE’s moon-sighting committee will look for the crescent moon, which indicates the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid Al Fitr, on Saturday night.
The committee - a group of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the country's Islamic authority - has called on Muslims in the Emirates to look for the crescent of Shawwal on Saturday evening, the 29th day of Ramadan, state news agency Wam reported.
It called on anyone who sees the crescent to call 02-6921166 to be directed to the nearest court to record their testimony.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on people living in the kingdom to sight the moon on Saturday night.
If the moon is observed on Saturday, Eid will begin the next day. If not, it will start on Monday.
The holy month lasts for either 29 or 30 days, depending on when the crescent moon is spotted, as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle.
According to the International Astronomical Centre, Eid is expected to begin on Monday, May 2.
The Emirates Astronomical Society has also forecast that Eid Al Fitr and the first of Shawwal will be on May 2.
Government workers will have a week-long holiday during Eid Al Fitr while private sector workers will have a holiday from Saturday, April 30 until Tuesday, May 3, or Wednesday, May 4, depending on when Eid starts.
Protocols for celebrating Eid Al Fitr were announced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority on Wednesday evening at an official briefing.
Dr Taher Al Ameri, the authority's spokesman, urged the public to "celebrate this blessed period in health and safety with loved ones, as well as to protect the most vulnerable categories from [coronavirus] infection".
“The protocols include the need to have an active green pass on the Al Hosn app and adhere to relevant precautionary measures,” Dr Al Ameri said.
The updated protocols also include a requirement for worshippers at Eid prayers to wear face masks at all times and maintain physical distancing.
Prayers must not exceed 20 minutes and the gates of mosques should be opened after dawn prayers.
The authority said the public should give Eid presents through electronic means and people should seek to limit celebrations to immediate family members and friends.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
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MATCH INFO
South Africa 66 (Tries: De Allende, Nkosi, Reinach (3), Gelant, Steyn, Brits, Willemse; Cons: Jantjies 8)
Canada 7 (Tries: Heaton; Cons: Nelson)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Aggro%20Dr1ft
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
