The holy month of Ramadan is likely to start Friday with UAE astronomers predicting the new moon will be sighted on Thursday evening 16 minutes after sunset.
The crescent will be seen with "difficulty" because it will be just 12 hours old, according to the astronomical calculations that indicate the birth of the new moon at 2.49am GMT (6.49am UAE time) on Thursday.
"There are bright chances of the sighting of the Moon of Ramadan ul Mubarrak 1425 Hijri on the evening of October 14 throughout the country," said Dr Hamid M.K. Al Nuaimi, Professor of Astrophysics and head of the physics department at UAE University.
Thus, the holy month of Ramadan should start on Friday, October 15.
This, however, has be to be confirmed by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee an official working group of religious leaders established by the government to announce the start of the month.
Islamic Sharia has several conditions for accepting a person who sees the moon as a witness. The committee collects the required number of genuine witnesses before making the announcement.
Dr Al Nuaimi was speaking at a joint meeting organised by his department with the support of the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs and Awqaf and the Islamic Institute at UAEU.
Astronomers also said Ramadan will be 30 days this year, and the Shawwal moon is likely to appear on November 12 after sunset.
It will, however, be difficult for the naked human eye to see the moon. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be on Sunday, November 14.
