Ramadan begins in the Gulf Countries

KT
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai, 11 August 2010: In the UAE, the Ramadan Moon-sighting Committee announced on Tuesday evening the first day of the holy month will be Wednesday.

 

Dr Hadif bin Joaan Al Dhahiri, Minister of Justice, the head of the committee who presided over the meeting, said: “The committee, using astronomical telescopes which have been placed in the emirates, ascertained that the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan was sighted in the UAE on Tuesday, which indicates that Ramadan will start in the country on Wednesday”.

 

He said that the committee had ensured  the accuracy of the sighting. Teams were carefully selected and deployed in different parts of the country.

 

Two teams were stationed at Halat Al Bahrani Island, five nautical miles off the capital Abu Dhabi and on top of Jebel Hafiet in the Eastern Region. They were accompanied by representatives from Al Ain Sharia Court.

 

Senior religious councils in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar said the new moon had been sighted on Tuesday, In Yemen, the month will also begin on Wednesday, while Oman will mark Thursday as the first day of Ramadan.

 

Other teams for sighting the crescent were stationed in Al  Marfa in Gharbia ( Western Region); RAS Al Bar at the sea port area near Abu Dhabi as well as in Al Silsila area on the borders with Qatar. All Shariah Courts in the country were part of the committee.

 

The committees and teams were in direct and constant contact with the main headquarters of the committee at the Shariah Judicial Department in Abu Dhabi, he added.

 

Muslims all over the world refrain from eating and drinking as a sign of piety during this month.