One of the most significant and spiritually meaningful times of the year is fast approaching in Dubai. Across the city, conversations are turning toward prayer times, iftar plans, and family gatherings as residents eagerly await confirmation of the Ramadan start date in Dubai.
Astronomical predictions suggest that Ramadan is expected to begin on February 19. However, as with every year in the UAE, the official announcement has not yet been made. While neighboring Oman has already confirmed its start date, residents in Dubai and the wider United Arab Emirates will need to wait a little longer.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Hijri calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, reflection, devotion, and community. From dawn until dusk, those observing abstain from food and drink, dedicating their time to prayer, charity, and spiritual growth.
Why Oman Has Already Confirmed February 19
Unlike the UAE, Oman has officially declared that Ramadan will begin on February 19. The announcement came after Oman’s Main Committee for Moon Sighting reviewed astronomical calculations regarding the crescent moon.
According to their findings, the Ramadan crescent moon would set before sunset on February 17, making it impossible to sight across the country on that evening. Because the crescent could not be seen, the current Hijri month, Shaban, would complete 30 days. That calculation means Ramadan will begin the following day, February 19.
Oman’s early confirmation has brought clarity for its residents, allowing businesses, schools, and families to prepare with certainty. However, in the UAE, the process remains dependent on local moon sighting procedures.
Why Dubai Residents Must Wait
In the United Arab Emirates, the official Ramadan start date is not confirmed solely through astronomical prediction. Instead, the UAE Moon Sighting Committee convenes to observe the crescent moon at the end of Shaban.
Dubai residents will only know for certain on the evening of February 17, when the committee gathers to determine whether the crescent moon is visible. The decision will establish whether Shaban is a 29-day month or a 30-day month.
If Shaban were 29 days long, Ramadan would begin on February 18. However, astronomers have stated that this scenario is highly unlikely. Based on scientific calculations, the Ramadan crescent will not be visible in this region on the evening of February 17.
This strongly suggests that Shaban will complete 30 days, with its final day falling on February 18. If that happens, Ramadan in Dubai and the rest of the UAE will officially begin on February 19, aligning with Oman’s declaration.
The Importance of Moon Sighting in the UAE
The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, which means each month begins with the sighting of a new crescent moon. Because of this, key dates such as Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha are confirmed only after official observation.
While astronomical calculations provide strong guidance and are increasingly accurate, the UAE continues to honor traditional moon sighting practices. This combination of science and religious tradition reflects the country’s careful approach to preserving heritage while embracing modern knowledge.
The waiting period may feel uncertain, but it is part of a long-standing process observed across generations. For many residents, the official announcement itself marks the emotional beginning of Ramadan preparations.
What Happens Next in Dubai?
If the moon is not sighted on February 17, Shaban will complete 30 days on February 18. In that case, Ramadan will officially begin on February 19.
Once confirmed, working hours for the public and private sectors will be reduced, schools will adjust schedules, and the rhythm of city life will shift. Restaurants will prepare for nightly iftars, mosques will host Taraweeh prayers, and families will gather for suhoor before dawn.
Dubai’s atmosphere during Ramadan is unlike any other time of the year. The city takes on a calmer, more reflective tone during the day, while evenings become vibrant with community spirit and shared meals.
Residents and visitors alike will also begin planning for Eid Al Fitr, the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. However, just like the start of the holy month, Eid will also depend on the sighting of the next crescent moon.
Astronomical Predictions vs Official Confirmation
This year’s predictions are clear: experts say that visibility of the crescent on February 17 is impossible in this part of the world. That scientific consensus points strongly toward February 19 as the first day of Ramadan in Dubai.
Still, until the UAE Moon Sighting Committee makes its official statement on the evening of February 17, the start date remains unconfirmed.
For many residents, this annual anticipation has become a familiar part of life in the Emirates. Families check announcements, social media fills with speculation, and workplaces quietly prepare for adjusted hours.
The brief wait serves as a reminder that Ramadan is not only about schedules and calendars. It is about intention, reflection, and community.
Preparing for Ramadan in Dubai
With February 19 widely expected to mark the beginning of Ramadan, many in Dubai are already preparing.
Supermarkets are stocking dates and traditional ingredients. Restaurants are announcing iftar menus. Community groups are organizing charity initiatives. Homes are being readied for gatherings and shared meals.
Even without official confirmation, the spirit of Ramadan is already present across the city.
For now, all eyes turn to February 17, when the UAE Moon Sighting Committee will meet. If predictions hold true, February 19 will mark the first day of fasting in Dubai, bringing the emirate in line with Oman and much of the region.
Until that evening announcement, residents wait in quiet anticipation for the official Ramadan start date in Dubai to be confirmed.
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