Ramadan 2023 is expected to begin on March 23, according to the Emirates Astronomical Society.
We already know the exact date is dependent on the sighting of the moon closer to the time: the Holy Month of Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, and is the ninth month of the Hijri year.
However, the astronomical calculations and likely dates were revealed by Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society.
Ramadan 2023
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the holy month of Ramadan for the Hijri Year 1444 is likely to start from Thursday, March 23. As per astronomical calculations, the holy month will last for 29 days, with the first day of Eid Al Fitr likely on Friday, April 21.
He said that people in the Emirates will be fasting for about 14 hours a day. “People will fast for 13 hours and 30 minutes at the beginning of Ramadan but by the end of the holy month, the fasting will last for nearly 14 hours and 13 minutes.”
Temperatures in Ramadan 2023 will range from 17 to 35 degrees at the beginning of the holy month and will range from 17 to 36 degrees towards the end of the month. The “Al Sarayat” spring weather disturbances might also occur during the month of Ramadan causing heavy thunder rains.
Eid Al Fitr Holidays 2023
Eid holidays in the UAE will be from Ramadan 29 until Shawwal 3, based on the Islamic calendar (Hijri Islamic calendar months). If the astronomical calculations are correct, the Eid Al Fitr holidays 2023 will be from Thursday, April 20, to Sunday, April 23. This means it would be a four-day long weekend for UAE residents.
Eid Al Adha 2023
Ibrahim Al Jarwan also revealed the likely dates of Eid Al Adha. According to the expert, the first day of Islamic month Dhul Hijjah will be on Monday, June 19. This means that Eid Al Adha will likely be on Wednesday, June 28. Arafah Day, which falls one day before Eid, is likely to be on Tuesday, June 27. The holiday, therefore, will be from Tuesday, June 27, to Friday, June 30.
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Lunar eclipses, meteor showers
Al Jarwan also revealed that two lunar eclipses will be visible in the UAE this year. The first is a penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5. A partial lunar eclipse will be visible on October 28.
He said a supermoon will rise on August 31.
According to the Dubai Astronomy Group, there will be a number of meteor showers this year:
- Lyrids meteor shower: April 22-23
- Aquarids meteor shower: May 6-7
- Perseids Meteor Shower: August 12-13
- Draconids meteor shower: October 7
- Orionids meteor shower: October 21-22
- Taurids meteor shower: November 4-5
- Leonids meteor shower: November 17-18
- Geminids meteor shower: December 13-14
- Ursids meteor shower: December 21-22.
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