The crescent moon has NOT been sighted tonight, which means the Holy Month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday…

The first day of Ramadan 2018 will officially begin on Thursday, May 17.

The UAE Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the news on Tuesday night after it was unable to spot the new crescent moon.

Saudi Arabia had earlier made the same call after the crescent moon could not be sighted in the kingdom.

This means Eid Al-Fitr (the holiday that celebrates the breaking of the fast) will most likely begin on Friday, June 15. Again, this depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon.

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Remember, UAE labour law stipulates that all workers – even those who are not fasting – are entitled to work two hours less each day during Ramadan. However, non-Muslims working in DIFC are not entitled to the extra two hours off due to the area following its own labour laws.

Ramadan is based on the lunar calendar and begins 10 to 12 days earlier each year.

The Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences had previously advised that Ramadan in the UAE looked set to begin on Thursday, May 17.

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