Ramadan to begin on August 1, says UAE astronomer

Dubai: The holy month of Ramadan will start on August 1 of the Gregorian calendar this year and last for 30 days, according to a well-known UAE astronomer.

Ebrahim Al Jarwan, a Sharjah-based astronomy expert, said the Ramadan "hilal" (half moon) will rise on July 30 and set on July 31.

"It will then take shape 21 hours and 23 minutes later … it will be difficult to sight the moon from the UAE, but Ramadan will start on August 1," he said,

Al Jarwan said Ramadan, the dawn-to-dusk fasting month for Muslims, will last 30 days this year. "This means Eid Al Fitr will be on August 31," he said.

In Ramadan, restaurants in the UAE and other Gulf countries remain closed for most of the day and people of all religions are required not to eat in public.

Average maximum temperatures in Ramadan will be in the 38-42 degrees Celsius range.