Ramadan 2019: Astronomer predicts start date in the UAE

The holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday, May 6 in the UAE this year, according to a local astronomer.

The crescent will be formed on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 2:46am UAE time, but will not be able to be seen after sunset, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Astronomy researcher in Sharjah told local media.

“The new moon of the Holy Month of Ramadan will then be possibly seen on Monday, May 6, 2019 as per the astronomical standards of moon sighting.”

He also predicted that the start of the month of Shawaal, which marks Eid Al Fitr, is expected on Monday, June 3, 2019.

“The new moon of the month of Eid Al Fitr is to disappear three minutes after sunset, while the first day of Shawwal is to fall on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 as per the due standards of moon sighting,” he explained.

Al Jarwan also said that the fasting period – from sunrise to sunset – during Ramadan in the UAE is expected to last 13 hours and 10 minutes at the beginning of Ramadan, extending to 13 hours and 40 minutes by the end of the holy month.

Temperatures during the holy month will stay between a high of 41 degrees and a low of 23 degrees.

The UAE’s moon-sighting committee will confirm the official starting dates for Ramadan and Eid.

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is a time when Muslims across the world fast from sunrise to sunset. The end of Ramadan, when the new moon is sighted, marks Eid Al Fitr.