Everything you need to know about #Ramadan2023 in the UAE

On the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, UAE residents will fast a little over 13 hours according to the prayer timings published on the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment website.

As per astronomical calculations, Ramadan is set to begin on March 23, and on that day, Fajr (morning) prayers which mark the start of the fast, at 5:02am and Maghrib prayers (sunset) at 6:35 pm, making the total fasting time 13 hours, 33 minutes. 

By the end of the month, which is expected to be on April 20, the fasting hours will slightly increase to 14 hours 16 minutes as Fajr prayers will be at 4:31 am and Maghreb at 6:47 pm.

There are two main meals during Ramadan, Suhoor, taken before sunrise and Iftar, taken after sunset. Restaurants are open during Ramadan, but it is not allowed to eat or drink in public. 

By law, working hours and school days are also reduced during the month. 

Ramadan is usually either 29 or 30 days, and a moon-sighting committee determines the start and end of the month. 

Astronomically, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society, told Arabic Daily Emarat Al Youm recently that the new crescent for Ramadan would be born at 21:23pm on Tuesday, March 21 – which is after sunset – and that the next day it would be 10 degrees above the western horizon and set after 50 minutes. 

He explained that this is the reason the first day of the month of Ramadan for the Hijri Year 1444 will likely start on Thursday, March 23, 2023.