The first fasting day of Ramadan will begin on Saturday, May 27, corresponding with the Islamic calendar year 1438 AH, officials in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have announced.
However, Qatar’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) simply said that there was no moon tonight and an investigation will continue tomorrow.
نظرا لعدم ثبوت دخول شهر رمضان المبارك في هذه الليلة،فإن اللجنة تعلن عن أنها ستواصل تحريها يوم غد الجمعة لإثبات شهادة من يراه#وزارة_الأوقاف
— وزارة الأوقاف – قطر (@AwqafM) May 25, 2017
Still, the lack of a moon sighting means that the month of Shabaan will conclude tomorrow.
And the month of Ramadan will officially began after sunset (Friday).
Friday is also when the first taraweeh (special night) prayers will take place at mosques across Qatar.
New schedule
Starting Saturday, expect 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.
Shorter school days will also take effect on Sunday.
Check out our comprehensive list of business/restaurant hours here, and learn more about Ramadan in Qatar here.
Ramadan Kareem, almost! Thoughts?
