The UAE has announced Saturday, Aug 22, 2009 as the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, according to a report.

Minister of Justice and Head of the Ramadan Crescent Moon Sighting Committee Hadef Jua'n Al-Dhaheri, in a statement said that Friday Aug 21, 2009 will be the 30th day of the Hijri (lunar) month of Sha'ban, month preceding Ramadan, and therefore Ramadan will begin on Saturday Aug 22, 2009, newswire WAM reported.

Following contacts with neighbouring countries, following the traditional methods of observation and the credible technical capabilities used over the past years, the new moon signifying the arrival of Ramadan was not visible and therefore the start of Ramadan was determined to be on next Saturday, Al Dhaheri explained.

The said Committee met after Maghreb, the sunset prayer on Thursday, Sha'ban 29th, 1430 Hijri corresponding to Aug 20th, 2009, to determine whether or not the new moon signifying the arrival of Ramadan was visible, WAM added.

On this occasion, Al Dhaheri and the committee members extended their heartfelt greetings to the UAE president Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the Their Highnesses the other Rulers and Crown Princes.

They also extended their greetings to the peoples of the UAE and all Muslims on the advent of the Holy Month.