Ramadan 2021: UAE Moon-sighting committee to meet on Monday

The start date of the holy month depends on the sighting of the Moon because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle

A cannon is fired at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, to mark the beginning of iftar in 2020. Victor Besa / The National

A Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Hundreds of packets of cooked food provided by Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh temple in Jebel Ali for the needy are distributed by Markaz volunteers before iftar at the Naif area of Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Volunteers in Fujairah prepare food to be handed out at iftar. Antonie Robertson / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A cannon is fired to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast at Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest standing building. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A woman checks out a Ramadan promotional stand at Carrefour in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan lamps for sale at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali, Dubai, on the day before Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decoration at one of the bridges on Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations at the Spinneys in Al Barsha, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Ramadan date shopper at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations inside Al Fateh Plaza at the Dhow Harbour and Al Mina Souq, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Latest: Ramadan 2021 start officially announced

The UAE Moon-sighting committee will meet online on Monday, April 12, after the maghrib prayer to indicate the start of the holy month.

Sharia courts nationwide will follow up and inform the committee of any sightings, while the Lunar Calendar Committee at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department will look for evidence and inform the Moon-sighting committee of the findings.

The Moon-sighting committee – a group of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the country’s Islamic authority – typically convenes after maghrib, or sunset, prayers on the 29th day of Sha’ban to look for the new crescent moon.

If they see it, Ramadan begins the following day. If not, Sha'ban will last 30 days and Ramadan will begin thereafter.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Islamic – or Hijri – calendar. It is also believed to be the month the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset every day of the month, which is typically either 29 and 30 days.

As well as abstaining from food and drink, Ramadan is also a time when Muslims strengthen their faith through prayer and increased recitation of the Quran.

Piety increases during the final 10 days, when Laylat Al Qadr is believed to fall. That night is believed to be when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

It is traditionally celebrated on the 27th night of Ramadan but its exact date is unknown.

The rewards for acts of worship carried out on this night are said to be more than the rewards of 1,000 months of worship.