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UAE: Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr 2024 expected dates revealed

As per astronomical calculations based on the lunar calendar, the holy month is just six months away

September 14, 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

With 2023 coming to a close soon, everyone is looking forward to the next year’s calendar. Muslims across the world are looking ahead to to next year’s festivities that will start with the Holy Month of Ramadan. As per Emirates Astronomy Society, the holy month is just six months away reported leading dailies in the UAE.

According to a post shared by UAE Barq which quotes Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomy Society, the month after Safar — Rabi Al Awwal — is likely to begin on September 16 based on astronomical calculations. He said, ‘The new crescent of the month of Rabi Al Awwal will be born on Friday, September 15 at 5.40am UAE time’.

He added that at sunset on the same day, the crescent will be located above the western horizon at an altitude of four degrees and shall set approximately 21 minutes after sunset, therefore Saturday, September 16 will mark the first day of Rabi Al Awwal. The beginning of this month according to astronomical calculations, suggests we are six months away from the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan in 2024

Additionally, co-relating the astronomical predictions for the Islamic Hijri calendar with the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan is expected to begin in the second week of March 2024 with the Islamic festival of Eid Al Fitr likely to fall in the second week of April. Tentative predictions have suggested Eid Al Fitr 2024 to fall on April 10. The Islamic calendar months are based on the lunar cycle and can either be comprised of 29 or 30 days.

Hence, the actual dates of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr can only be confirmed closer to the event based on the sighting of the crescent Moon.

Significance of Ramadan

Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the year for Muslims around the world. Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Quran, and fast for a period of 30 days from dawn, before the call for the morning prayer and end it at dusk when the call for Maghrib prayer is given.

The end of the month is celebrated with Eid Al Fitr which is marked on the first day of Shawwal, after the sighting of the Shawwal crescent Moon – the month after Ramadan.