This year, fasting during the month of Ramadan will begin on Thursday, June 18, corresponding with the Islamic calendar year 1436 AH, Qatar’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced.
يوم الخميس 18/6/2015 هو أول أيام شهر رمضان المبارك 1436هـ / 2015 م
تقبل الله صيامكم وطاعاتكم— وزارة الأوقاف – قطر (@AwqafM) June 16, 2015
Because the new moon was not sighted tonight, the month of Ramadan officially begins tomorrow night. That means the first taraaweeh (special night) prayers will take place tomorrow at mosques around Qatar.
The same declaration was made in neighboring Saudi Arabia:
https://twitter.com/Dr_alsudais/status/610842321697910785
The first fast will be on Thursday, which is when shortened work hours (five hours a day for government employees, and six for the private sector), a ban on public eating and drinking during the day and other changes will begin.
To see a comprehensive list of business/restaurant hours, see our guide here. And here are some tips about what you need to know about Ramadan in Qatar.
Thoughts?