Ramadan Set to Begin February 19 in Middle East, Say UAE Astronomers

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Astronomers predict Ramadan will begin on February 19, a Thursday, in the UAE and across other Middle Eastern nations. Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, noted that preliminary calculations place the new moon for Ramadan at 4:01 pm UAE time on February 17, according to Gulf News. The society added that the moon will set about one minute after sunset on February 17, making crescent Moon observation impossible that evening. Consequently, Ramadan is expected to start on February 19.

Al Jarwan also indicated that the fasting period will start at 12 hours and 46 minutes, gradually extending to 13 hours and 25 minutes by the month’s end. He mentioned that daylight hours will begin at 11 hours and 32 minutes, increasing to 12 hours and 12 minutes by Ramadan’s conclusion. The Emirates Astronomy Society forecast temperatures in Abu Dhabi ranging from 16 to 28 degrees Celsius during the early days of Ramadan.

The start of Ramadan is traditionally determined by moon sighting, which is officially confirmed after the 29th of Shaban in the Islamic lunar calendar. Religious ministries and moon-sighting committees in each country announce the month’s beginning. Because the lunar calendar has shorter months than the solar calendar, Ramadan advances by about 10 to 11 days each year. Over a 33-year cycle, Muslims observe Ramadan in every season at least once.