Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has wished the people of the UAE a blessed Ramadan, describing the holy month as one of "goodness and mercy".
The Vice President and Ruler of Dubai offered his congratulations on Twitter, praying for "the blessing of good health, well-being, safety and stability in this country" for all.
"We reassure our people that the country is well, the future is promising, and that God has protected our benevolent country.
"May Allah accept our prayers, fasting and good deeds," he said.
Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, is expected to begin on Friday.
The official start date will be confirmed by the country's moon-sighting committee, which is due to meet - remotely - after magrhib [sunset] prayers on Thursday.
The new crescent moon, which signals the start of Ramadan, must first be spotted using a telescope and then confirmed with the naked eye.
If the new moon is not sighted, Ramadan will fall on Saturday.
The five pillars of Islam
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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