Ramadan 2025 officially starts on Saturday, March 1
The Holy Month of Ramadan will officially begin on Saturday, March 1, following the sighting of the crescent moon, the Presidential Court confirmed on Friday.
Meanwhile, today, Friday, will be the last day of Sha'ban.
On the night of February 28, the UAE made another history as the first country in the world to deploy AI-powered drones for Ramadan moon sighting.
During Ramadan, Muslims across the UAE and around the world will observe a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, which will last for 29 to 30 days.
Shorter working hours for the public and private sector during this sacred time has also been announced.
Related story: Ramadan in the UAE: Etiquette to observe during the Holy Month
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Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Million-plus pilgrims begin Haj under the blazing sun
More than a million pilgrims joined Islam's most important rite under a beating sun on Wednesday, as the Haj kicked off with the Saudi hosts scrambling to avoid last year's 1,000-plus deaths in sweltering heat. With temperatures expected to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), robed pilgrims slowly circled the holy Kaaba — the black cube at the heart of Makkah's Grand Mosque which is Islam's holiest site. State media reported that others had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on the holy city of Makkah's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point on Thursday — prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mouhammad (peace be upon him) is believed to have delivered his final sermon. About 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the Haj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. Authorities have ratcheted up heat protection measures such as extra shade to avoid a repeat of last year, when 1,301 people died as temperatures hit 51.8C (125.2F). On Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf — walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each day. Before entering Makkah, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and behaviour. Men don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or nationality. Women, in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and hands. Pilgrims arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates. "I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem Al Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. - Artificial intelligence - Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres (12 acres), thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq Al Rabiah told AFP last week. Artificial intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds. Authorities said most of the deaths last year were among unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to air-conditioned tents and buses. This year, they have cracked down on the unregistered, using frequent raids, drone surveillance and a barrage of text alerts. Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota basis and distributed to individuals by lottery. But even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs prompt many to attempt the hajj without a permit, even though they risk arrest and deportation if caught. Large crowds at the hajj have proved hazardous in the past, most notably in 2015 when a stampede during the "stoning the devil" ritual in Mina killed up to 2,300 people in the deadliest Haj disaster. Saudi Arabia earns billions of dollars a year from the Haj and the lesser pilgrimage known as umrah, undertaken at other times of the year.
Al Etihad
6 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE, Egyptian Presidents discuss fraternal ties, regional developments
4 June 2025 16:10 ABU DHABI (WAM) President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on Wednesday with His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, focusing on the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to further strengthen cooperation across various sectors, particularly those that advance their shared development goals and serve the mutual interests of their discussions took place during His Excellency President El-Sisi's fraternal visit to the UAE, wherein His Highness received him at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. At the start of the meeting, the two leaders exchanged greetings and best wishes ahead of Eid Al Adha, praying to God to bless the occasion with health and happiness for all and grant continued prosperity and blessings to both nations and their two leaders also reviewed regional and international issues of mutual concern and exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East, particularly efforts to restore security and stability in the region. They stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and work towards a clear political horizon for a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, ensuring security and stability for Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed their shared commitment to continued consultation and coordination between the UAE and Egypt on matters that serve the interests of both nations and support efforts to promote regional peace, security, and stability as essential foundations for development and the meeting, His Highness the President hosted a luncheon in honour of the Egyptian meeting was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Lt. General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Football Association (UAEFA); Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment;Jassim Mohammed Buataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Finance; and several senior officials. The Egyptian President departed the UAE at the conclusion of his fraternal visit. He was bid farewell at the Presidential Airport by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with a number of Sheikhs and senior officials.
Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Million-plus pilgrims arrive in Mina for 'Day of Tarwiyah'
4 June 2025 13:09 MINA, SAUDI ARABIA (AGENCIES) Pilgrims began arriving in Mina on Wednesday morning to spend the Day of Tarwiyah, Dhu Al-Hijjah 8, and stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday, prayers on Mount to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom's government provided extensive security, medical, food, and transportation services to ensure pilgrims' comfort and enable them to perform their rituals with ease and media reported that more than a million pilgrims had begun arriving in the sprawling tent city of Mina on Mecca's outskirts where they will stay overnight before the hajj's high-point Thursday - prayers on Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final 1.4 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia ahead of the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam that must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the Wednesday, pilgrims will perform the tawaf - walking seven times around the Kaaba, which Muslims pray towards each entering Mecca, pilgrims must first enter a state of purity, called ihram, which requires special dress and don a seamless shroud-like white garment that emphasises unity among believers, regardless of their social status or in turn, wear loose dresses, also white, exposing just their faces and arriving on buses had begun already trickling into Mina on Tuesday afternoon, greeted by staff offering them coffee and dates."I am so happy, it's such an amazing feeling," said Reem al-Shogre, a 35-year-old Saudi performing the pilgrimage for the first time. Artificial Intelligence Following last year's lethal heatwave, authorities have mobilised more than 40 government agencies and 250,000 officials to improve protection. The newly built pedestrian boulevard leading to the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia (REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah) Shaded areas have been enlarged by 50,000 square metres, thousands of additional medics will be on standby and more than 400 cooling units will be deployed, Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah told AFP last intelligence technology will help process the deluge of data, including video from a new fleet of drones, to better manage the massive crowds.
