Dubai: Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice, has issued a resolution setting up a moon-sighting committee for Ramadan.

The members will meet after Maghrib prayers on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department.

The committee, chaired by the Minister of Justice, comprises Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Badi, President of the UAE Federal Supreme Court, along with a number of officials.

The resolution urged all Sharia courts in the country to participate in the moon sighting and inform the committee of any findings.

Saudi Arabia requests residents 

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has requested residents to sight the crescent moon on Tuesday and to report it to the nearest court. 

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Sunday urged all Muslims throughout the kingdom to spot the new moon by naked eyes or by binoculars on the 29th of Shaban 1439, which falls on May 15, 2018.     

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Residents were also informed to report the moon sighting to the nearest court and register his testimony.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims do not only observe a food fast but also abstain from smoking and sexual activities from sunrise to sunset. Any type of negative behavior, such as lying or using foul language is also forbidden.

Ramadan ends when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted again. Eid Al Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.