Ramadan to start on Monday in UAE

CRESCENT RISING: The crescent moon heralds the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. (Getty Images)

Monday, September 1, 2008, is to be observed as the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, the committee in charge of sighting the crescent in the UAE has announced, the official WAM news agency reported on Saturday.

Senior religious councils in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain also said the moon's crescent was not sighted after nightfall on Saturday, and so Sunday would be the last day of the month preceding Ramadan.

"The [UAE] Minister of Justice and other members of the committee seized the opportunity to extend their profound greetings and congratulations to President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Their Highnesses, Supreme Council members and rulers of the emirates, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the crown princes of the other emirates," WAM added.

The committee prayed to Allah to protect the president and to grant him good health, the agency added.

The committee also congratulated all Muslims inside and outside the UAE on the happy occasion and prayed to Allah for peace and tranquillity in the world and for unity among all Muslims of the world, WAM said.

For more news about the holy month, visit our Ramadan Special Report.

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