Eid Al Fitr 2016: UAE astronomer predicts end of Ramadan!(Gulf Buisness)

The holy month of Ramadan is expected to run for 30 days this year, and hence will end on Wednesday, July 6, according to a local astronomer.

The crescent of Shawwal will emerge on Monday, July 4 at 3.13pm UAE time and will set seven minutes before sunset, so it will not be visible during the night, The National quoted assistant director of Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences Dr Ibrahim Al Jarwan as saying.

Hence Tuesday, July 5, will be the final day of Ramadan, with the first day of Eid Al Fitr falling on Wednesday, July 6, he said.

Depending on the sighting of the new moon, workers in the UAE could get a four-day weekend from July 6 to July 9.

With schools also closing by the end of this month, Dubai airport officials have already predicted a huge rush of travellers during that weekend.

Read more here: Dubai airport expects nearly 2m passengers over two weekends

Ramadan, which began on Monday, June 6, is the month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

The fasting hours this year crossed 15 hours during the longest days.