Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have also confirmed that the Ramadan fasting will start by Monday 6th of May, 2019.
Around the world, Muslim faithful prepare for the first day of Ramadan. Ramadan begins on Monday, with devotees fasting from dawn to dusk until Eid celebrations marking the end of the holy month
The UAE's Moon sighting committee convened on Sunday evening and spotted the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of a new month.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic, or Hijri calendar, and the holy month for Muslims, who believe it is when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.
Several countries have also announced the holy month will begin on May 6, including Australia and Turkey.
The Islamic calendar is determined by moon phases, which are either 29 or 30 days long, with the appearance of a new moon signaling the beginning of a month. Searching for the new crescent can be a little tricky, however, because it is usually faint and is only visible for about 20 minutes.
Traditionally, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia observe the holy month on the same dates, while Oman’s religious authority calls Ramadan independently of the rest of the Arabian Gulf.
Saudi Arabia leads the way in calling the start and end of the holy month, but each country has its own committee to confirm the new moon.
During this month, Muslims do not consume any food or drinks between fajr (dawn) and maghrib (sunset) prayers – not even water.
Non-Muslims should behave respectfully, remembering to dress conservatively and to not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours.
Working hours will be reduced by two hours per day throughout the month in the private sector and public sector.
Some restaurants will be closed during the holy month and almost all shops will be closed an hour before and a couple of hours after sunset. After iftar, the sunset meal when Muslims break their fast, almost everywhere will be open.
Malls are open during the day and closing times may be as late as midnight or 1am. Some bars and nightclubs may close for the month, while some have licences allowing them to stay open.
The Moon sighting committee will reconvene on the 29th day of Ramadan to search for a glimpse of the new crescent moon, which will signal the start of Eid Al Fitr. When spotted, the following morning will be announced as the first day of the 10th month, known as Shawwal.
According to Daily Trust, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Sunday, declared that Ramadan fasting begins tomorrow. Recall that the Sultan on Saturday, called on Muslims to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1440A.H.
He made the call in a statement by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, the Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto. Junaidu said “this is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Sunday, May 5, which is equivalent to 29 day of Sha’aban 1440A.H., shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1440A.H. “Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon of Ramadan 1440AH on Sunday and report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan.”
The monarch prayed to Allah to help religious leaders and all Muslims in the discharge of their religious duties. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which the Muslim conduct the compulsory full month fasting.
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