The majority of Muslims around the world are to gather in mosques on Monday for morning prayers on the first day of the holy month.
In the UAE, people worshipped early in the morning to mark the start of the month-long fast – after the Moon-sighting committee on Sunday night announced the start of Ramadan.
About 1.9 billion worshippers mark the holy month with fasting and prayers. Some countries, including the Philippines and Morocco, announced the Moon was not visible the previous evening and so fasting would begin on Tuesday.
Hadeer Hegazy, 19, lives in Al Ain and shared her excitement with The National.
This is a month of peace and I believe peace is profound and important in Islam
Mohammed Jahirul Islam
“This Ramadan is so special to me because my family and I will be spending it with a relative coming to visit from Egypt," said the cyber security student from Egypt.
Ms Hegazy’s goal this year is to complete reading the Quran at least once.
“I always look forward to the spiritual and positive vibes with my family and friends gathering," she said.
“Early morning my family and I prepare a pre-dawn suhoor meal of traditional Egyptian food like fava beans and make sure to eat yoghurt to control our thirst throughout the day."
With Ms Hegazy attending classes during Ramadan, she is relieved that study hours are shortened.
“I’m glad my university shortened class timings so [that] we will finish early and get to go home, rest and prepare for iftar," she added.
Ramadan is believed to be the month the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
Fasting during the holy month is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims who are in good health.
Mohammed Jahirul Islam, 50 and from Bangladesh, is looking forward to Ramadan as it represents peace and solitude.
“This is a month of peace and I believe peace is profound and important in Islam," Mr Islam said.
“I always pray the first prayer of the day at the mosque and I will make sure to pray all the other prayers at the mosque, too.
“I prepared for Ramadan by taking care of myself physically and buying new clothes."
Mahmoud Khalifa, 21, is an industrial engineer who enjoys attending Fajr prayer with his family at the mosque as it also gives him “a sense of peace".
“Being in the company of fellow worshippers strengthens my connection to my faith and I discover my inner peace through participating in group prayers," Mr Khalifa told The National.
“I also like to go pray the sunnah [optional] and extra prayers, so I can get used to it," he said.
“My goal this Ramadan is to give to charity, read the Quran daily, go to the taraweeh, spend time with my family and commit to not miss any of the five prayers."
Mr Khalifa follows a certain timetable during Ramadan to help through fasting and plans to have suhoor by about 4am.
“I like staying in the mosque after each prayer to read the Quran, eat healthy food and stay hydrated in non-fasting hours," he added.
"I also make sure to rest and spend my time doing something useful."
Hatam Alawady, 47, works at Al Ain Hospital and is committed to get closer to God this Ramadan.
“This Ramadan I am focusing and committed to get closer to God and to ask for His forgiveness," he said.
“I want to share my blessings and give back to people. Especially in Ramadan, I like to pray all the prayers in their dedicated timings.
“I arrange my time in Ramadan accordingly with my working hours and make sure to eat light food for suhoor such as cucumber, yoghurt and milk."
Muslims end their daily fast at sunset, before many begin taraweeh prayers, an additional extended evening prayer performed after isha.
Taraweeh are traditionally followed by social gatherings that last into the night.
This year, Muslims in the UAE will begin the month by fasting for about 13 hours and 52 minutes.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed posted a Ramadan message on social media to mark the start of Ramadan.
“May this period of reflection and prayer bring us closer together and strengthen our bonds of unity and compassion. I wish you a blessed Ramadan filled with peace, harmony and spiritual growth," Sheikh Mohamed wrote on X.
Watch: UAE Ramadan working hours announced
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
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RESULT
Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 0
Everton: Sigurdsson (47'), Calvert-Lewin (73')
Man of the Match: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
The%20Iron%20Claw
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MADAME%20WEB
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
