The UAE Council for Fatwa has announced that Tuesday, January 20th, would mark the first day of the Islamic month of Shaaban. This follows after the crescent moon could not be sighted due to unfavourable conditions. As it happens, Monday, which is January 19th, completes the month of Rajab.
Islamic Month Of Shaaban Begins In January 20th
As announced by the UAE Council for Fatwa, which was mentioned in a report of the Gulf News, the Islamic month of Shaaban begins on January 20th. This comes after the council had examined the relevant astronomical data in coordination with specialised scientific authorities and centres from across the UAE.
The announcement follows established procedures. It combined traditional moon sighting practices with modern scientific methods. This ensures accuracy by determining the start of the Islamic lunar month.
The development regarding the month of Shaaban comes after astronomers confirmed that they could not find a crescent of Shaaban, as there were unfavourable astronomical conditions.
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Fasting Hours To Be Shorter In Ramadan?
It is a big development as the month of Ramadan draws closer every day. In fact, it was recently also revealed that the UAE will be observing a shorter fasting duration throughout this month. Yes, it marks a noticeable shift from the longer daylight fast of recent years.
The astronomical calculations show that Ramadan will fall during the transition period between winter and spring. During this time, daylight hours are relatively moderate. So, it can be expected that the fasting times in the UAE might range anywhere between 12 to 14 hours. However, you can expect slight variations between the emirates due to the geographical differences.
And this change is hardly surprising, after all, the Islamic calendar is around 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. So, every year, Ramadan shifts earlier by 10 days.
With the month of Ramadan just days away, you might want to start making preparations for the holy month and the celebrations.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/andres Nino from Pexels
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