UAE astronomer forecasts Muslim’s fasting month of Ramadan timing

A UAE astronomer has forecast the Muslim’s fasting month of Ramadan might start on Saturday, July 21, and the Eid Al Fitr would be on August 19.

Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Astronomy Researcher and Supervisor of Sharjah Planetarium, said that the birth of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of Ramadan will be on Thursday, 19th July 2012, at 8:24 am (UAE time). The sunset will be at 5:09 pm, while the moon will set two minutes after sunset, according to the official news agency WAM.

”The crescent moon of Shawwal 1433 will born on Friday 17th August 2012, at 5:54 pm local time, and the sunset will be at 6:49 pm same day,” he added in regards to the Ramadan timing.

Al Jarwan said sighting the crescent would be impossible on Thursday night, but it would be visible on Friday night.