The holy month of Ramadan is set to begin from Saturday 27th May and to end on Saturday 24th June, based on moon sighting reports. Marking the end of Ramadan will be the Eid Al Fitr is the Islamic holiday.
The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ‘ramida’ meaning dryness or scorching heat, and is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar uses the phases of the moon to mark its days, usually 344 or 345 days per year, and the sighting of the new moon marks the start and end of Ramadan. In the 365 day Gregorian calendar, Ramadan falls approximately 11 days earlier each year.
Muslims believe that during Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed - Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH), and honour the holy month with prayer, fasting and charity.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam (basic acts), and is obligatory for all Muslims who have come of age. Those who are ill, travelling, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or menstruating are excused, but must make up the days later on.
To fast means not to eat or drink (including water) during daylight hours. Muslims are also expected to abstain from smoking, sexual relations and speaking sinfully.
While non-Muslims are not required to fast, they are legally obliged not to eat, drink or smoke in public places. Other things to be aware of include: no music in public during the day as Muslims listen to Quran recitations; the dress code is intensified, so dress modestly by covering your shoulders and knees, and there is a change in traffic as working hours are cut to six hours a day, allowing those fasting to leave the office early and rest before Iftar.
Below are the prayer timings issued by www.awqaf.gov.ae.
