With less than two months left before Ramadan, the month of fasting and spiritual cleansing, the countdown has begun. In accordance with astronomical calculations, Ramadan will begin on March 23 (Thursday) and end on April 20 (Thursday).

A member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS), Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society's board of directors, predicted that Ramadan would begin on March 23, 2023, and last for 29 days.

Fasting hours will reach approximately 14 hours and vary by 40 minutes from the beginning to the end of the month. According to him, the new crescent moon of Ramadan will appear at 21:23 pm on Tuesday, March 21.

The dates as per the Islamic Hijri calendar are from 29 Ramadan until 3 Shawwal 1443. According to Al Jarwan, Eid Al Fitr may fall on Friday, April 21.

So, the corresponding dates on the Gregorian calendar are from 1 Shawwal which falls on Friday, April 21 to Monday, April 24.

This could mean a long weekend off for residents (4 days). Government officials will confirm the official dates closer to Eid.