Ramadan is expected to start in the UK on April 13, the second time the holy month is being observed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year, Muslims will be allowed to attend Covid-secure mosques, after being denied during the UK's first lockdown 12 months ago.
The holy month takes place as the UK continues Covid-19 vaccinations and Muslims are encouraged to receive the shot.
When will Ramadan begin in the UK?
Muslims in Britain will begin Ramadan on April 13 or 14, based on the sighting of the crescent new moon.
When will Ramadan end?
Ramadan typically lasts 29 or 30 days, ending when the next new moon is sighted.
The final iftar should take place on the evening of May 12.
What Covid-19 restrictions are in place at mosques in the UK during Ramadan?
Mosques are open this year and can be attended by as many people as can be safely accommodated with social distancing.
Many mosques in the UK will be running shorter services for limited numbers of people.
To attend prayers, some people may need to register at certain mosques, including for the nightly taraweeh prayers.
Worshippers should also bring their own prayer mats and wear face masks.
Mosques are also encouraged to stream events live where possible to prevent large crowds from gathering.
Anyone with Covid-19 symptoms should remain at home.
What restrictions are in place for homes?
Gatherings of people from more than two households are not allowed to be held indoors at home over the month of Ramadan.
Two households or more are allowed to meet outdoors, including in private gardens, but are limited to groups of six.
Can I still receive a Covid-19 vaccine the UK during Ramadan?
Receiving a Covid-19 vaccine will not break the fast observed over Ramadan, Britain’s National Health Service and Muslim scholars said.
“Now is the time to put faith to the test, preserve life and trust the opinion of Islamic scholars and mosque committees who have confirmed the vaccination and lateral flow tests will not invalidate or break the Ramadan fast,” NHS director Dr Habib Naqvi said.
“We have lost too many mosque worshippers and with ethnic minority people already at increased risk of coronavirus.”
Dr Farzana Hussain, a Muslim and physician at The Project Surgery in East London, said receiving a vaccine did not break the fast because it was not nutrition.
“There is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t have it if you are eligible and have been invited for your Covid-19 vaccine, and those scheduled for their second dose should take it,” Dr Hussain said.
“The Quran says saving your life is the most important thing: to save one life is to save the whole of humanity. It’s a responsibility of a practising Muslim to take their vaccine.”
What changes have been made to the UK’s vaccine programme?
Some vaccination sites will stay open later so Muslims can be inoculated after breaking their fast in the evening.
Vaccination centres at mosques will also be open throughout Ramadan.
Some mosques are also planning pop-up vaccination clinics to coincide with iftar.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi praised mosques for encouraging worshippers to receive the shot.
“It goes back to convenience, access and support. It’s a place that the community trusts,” Mr Zahawi said.
“And thinking it through, if people are coming for iftar to the mosque, what a great way to book them in afterwards to have their jab.”
How will rapid testing stop the spread of Covid-19 during Ramadan?
The NHS said Muslims should take advantage of a new programme that allows households access to rapid Covid-19 tests.
Anyone in England who does not have symptoms can now receive regular lateral flow tests to check for coronavirus.
Households can collect two packs of seven tests from local pharmacies and test sites or have them delivered through the post.
The tests take 30 minutes to show a result.
Dr Hina Shahid from the Muslim Doctors Association said the tests would help Muslims to detect coronavirus before they attend prayers.
“I strongly encourage Muslims who are able to take their vaccination and lateral flow tests during this holy month to do so and help protect themselves and their community,” Dr Shahid said.
"Any concerns about vaccination or rapid test results can be discussed with GPs and healthcare professionals. We are here to support patients to make informed decisions.”
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
BRIEF SCORES
England 228-7, 50 overs
N Sciver 51; J Goswami 3-23
India 219, 48.4 overs
P Raut 86, H Kaur 51; A Shrubsole 6-46
England won by nine runs
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Company%20Profile
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Bullet%20Train
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
