January 1 will be first day of the Hijri month of Rajab; Ramadan is two months away

The UAE Astronomy Centre announced that Wednesday, January 1, will be the first day of the Hijri month of Rajab, implying that the fasting month of Ramadan is only around two months away.

Despite murky skies and overcast weather, Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory sighted the crescent at 11 a.m. UAE time on Tuesday. The observation was carried out automatically using an online link with the observatory.

On the Islamic calendar, Rajab precedes the month of Shaaban, which is followed by Ramadan, when Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset.

The Islamic calendar is lunar, hence the actual start date of Ramadan varies depending on the sighting of the new moon.

On the 29th day of Shaaban, Muslim countries will see the crescent moon, and each country will decide when Ramadan will begin based on whether or not the moon is visible.