The Holy Month is expected to begin on Monday… 

The official UAE Moon Sighting Committee will meet on the evening of Sunday, March 10 to indicate the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan 2024.

The first day of Ramadan is dependent on the sighting of the new crescent moon. Although we will have to wait until official confirmation, Ramadan 2024 will either start on Monday March 11 or Tuesday March 12.

If the Moon Sighting Committee spot the moon on Sunday, Ramadan will begin the following day on Monday, March 11. If they do not, Ramadan will begin on Tuesday, March 12. Stay tuned to What’s On for the official confirmation.

When is Eid Al Fitr 2024?

As it stands, the first day of Ramadan is expected to fall on Monday, March 11. The Holy Month is typically 29 or 30 days long, and is then followed by a public holiday, Eid Al Fitr.

In 2024, Eid Al Fitr is expected to correspond to Monday, April 8 to Friday, April 12 in the Gregorian calendar.

If the astronomical predictions are accurate, those who have a Saturday and Sunday weekend will have a nine-day break with work resuming on Monday, April 15. If the crescent moon isn’t sighted and it’s a 30-day Ramadan, Eid al Fitr will be a six-day break, from Tuesday, April 9 to Monday, April 15. Again, we will have to wait for confirmation on these dates closer to the time from UAE officials.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and smoking between sunrise and sunset. Non-Muslims, as well are obliged to respect the fasting practices in public, so if you do have to leave the house for any reason during the day, please ensure you refrain from any of the above activities.

SEE ALSO: Ramadan etiquette in Dubai: Do’s and don’ts during the Holy Month

Ramadan marks the time when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Traditionally, extra tarawih prayers are performed throughout Ramadan and each evening 1/30th of the holy book is recited. 

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is the foundation of the religion. The pillars are the framework by which Muslims everywhere live, and Ramadan is considered the holiest time in the Islamic calendar. It is a time for prayer, reflection and religious devotion, to cleanse past sins and to focus on Allah through good deeds.

Images: Unsplash

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