Manama: A Kuwaiti astronomer said the first day of Ramadan would fall on August 11 and that Muslims should get ready to fast up to 15 hours.
"The first day will be August 11 and the last day should be September 9," Dr Salah Al Ajuri said.
"Although it is still too early to talk about Ramadan, many people want to know more about its start and finish so that that they can plan their trips and holidays abroad," the astronomer said, quoted by Kuwait News Agency.
Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking and sexual activities from sunrise until sunset during their most sacred month which, based on the lunar calendar, is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year.
"All the fasting days will be during the hot days of the summer, so Muslims should get ready for it. They will fast 15 hours on the first day and 14 hours on the last day," Al Ajuri said.
Humidity will reach high levels during the Eid days, celebrated to mark the end of the holy month, he said.
Muslim communities in Muslim and non-Muslim countries have often disagreed on the method to determine the start and end of the month.
Some scholars insist on the naked-eye sighting of the new moon to start or end the month, while others rely on astronomical calculations.
