Ramadan to start on July 10

The first day of the Islamic holy month Ramadan in 2013 will be July 10, according to the Sharjah Planetarium at the UAE Department of Culture and Information.

In a statement carried on official news agency WAM, the planetarium said the Ramadan crescent moon will be form on July 8 at 11:14 and set at 19:08, five minutes before the sunset.

The crescent will be sited on the evening of July 9, meaning that Ramadan will begin the next day.

The statement added that August 9 will astronomically be the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month in the lunar Islamic calendar, as well as the first day of the Eid Al Fitr holiday.

During Ramadan, adult Muslims around the world abstain from eating during the daylight hours, as well as refraining from smoking and sexual relations.