Ramadan 2021: Abu Dhabi astronomy centre says Monday to be Sha'ban 1

Sha'ban is the Islamic month that precedes Ramadan in the Hijri calendar

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

An astronomy centre in Abu Dhabi announced that the month preceding Ramadan will begin on Monday, indicating when the Holy Month of fasting may begin.

Mohammed Odeh, director of International Astronomy Centre in the UAE capital, told Al Khaleej it was not possible to sight the new crescent moon on Saturday night, due to the short time that the moon would have been visible.

The sandstorm that swept the UAE on Saturday also made it impossible to view the new moon.

As a result, Sha'ban will begin on Monday, as also announced by Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries. This offers a potential two-day window as to when Ramadan will begin.

If Sha'ban lasts 29 days, Ramadan will begin on Tuesday, April 13, but if it lasts 30 days, Muslims will begin fasting on Wednesday, April 14.

The official day will be determined by the UAE's moon-sighting committee – a group of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the country's Islamic authority.

The committee will likely convene virtually again this year, due to the Covid-19 outbreak, to sight the new moon.

Searching for the new crescent can be difficult, because it is usually faint and is only seen for about 20 minutes. The committee relies on telescopes to detect the crescent moon, then confirm it with the naked eye.

Sha'ban is the eighth month in the Islamic calendar and is typically when Muslims begin preparing for a month of increased piety and fasting.