The Muslim’s fasting month of Ramadan will start on Wednesday August 11, with Eid Ul Fitr falling on Friday September 10, according to a UAE astronomer.
Ibrahim Al Jarwan, astronomy researcher and supervisor of Sharjah Planetarium, said the crescent moon of the holy month will be astronomically born on August 10 at 7.08am (UAE time) and will disappear after sun set on the same day with Wednesday being the first day of Ramadan.
“The crescent moon of Shawwal will be born on Wednesday September 8, at 2.30am local time and sink down 14 minutes before sun set. It’s impossible to sight the crescent by naked eye at that day and therefore September 10 will be the first day of Shawwal,” he said in comments published by news agency WAM.
Citing astronomical calculations, he added that this year’s summer season would end on September 23.
His comments confirm those of Kuwaiti meteorologist Dr Saleh Al-Ujairi who said earlier this month that the holy month of Ramadan was likely to start on August 11.
