The year 2030 is set to witness a rare astronomical event: the holy month of Ramadan will occur twice within the same Gregorian year.
According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, the first Ramadan is projected to begin in early January 2030, while the second is expected toward the end of December that same year.
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The phenomenon, while uncommon, is rooted in the fundamental differences between the Islamic Hijri calendar and the Gregorian calendar. The Hijri calendar is lunar-based and consists of approximately 354 days, about 11 days shorter than the 365-day Gregorian solar calendar. As a result, Ramadan shifts earlier each year, moving gradually through the seasons and completing a full cycle roughly every 33 years.
Although this alignment is not unprecedented, it remains a fascinating reminder of how lunar and solar calendar systems intersect, affecting the timing of key religious observances across decades.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is regarded as the holiest month of the year. It was during this month that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) on the night known as Laylat Al Qadar, one of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
The month is widely regarded as a time of piety, reflection, charity and blessings. During Ramadan, capable Muslims are required to abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Like all Islamic months, Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon and lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on when the next crescent is observed. Because the Islamic calendar contains 354 days, Ramadan arrives approximately 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.
In the UAE, the official start of Ramadan is announced by the moon-sighting committee under the UAE Council for Fatwa, in coordination with national institutions and monitoring centers across the country.
During the month, Muslims commonly greet one another with “Ramadan Kareem” or “Ramadan Mubarak,” meaning “Blessed Ramadan.”
Ramadan traditions in the UAE
In the UAE, preparations for Ramadan begin as early as mid-Shaaban, the month preceding Ramadan. One of the most cherished traditions is Hagg Al Layla. On this occasion, Emirati children dress in traditional attire and visit neighboring homes, reciting songs and poems. Neighbours welcome them with sweets and nuts, which the children collect in traditional cloth bags.
Two main meals define the rhythm of Ramadan: Suhoor and Iftar. Suhoor is consumed before sunrise, just before the fasting period begins. Iftar is the meal at sunset that breaks the fast. Following the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), many Muslims break their fast with dates and laban (buttermilk).
On the first evening of Ramadan, families traditionally gather at the home of the head of the household, often the grandfather, for the first Iftar. Across the UAE and other GCC countries, dates are commonly referred to as the “bread of the desert.”
Popular Emirati dishes during Ramadan include Alqurs, a bread-like crumble made with dates and cardamom, as well as Harees and Threed. Read about where you can eat Emirati food.
The sound of iftaar
One of the most iconic Ramadan traditions in the UAE is the firing of the cannon, known as Midfa Al Iftar. The cannon signals the exact moment when Muslims can break their fast at sunset. The sound can be heard from a distance of 8 to 10 kilometres.
This long-standing tradition dates back to the era of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder President of the UAE. Today, members of the UAE military carry out the practice with strict safety precautions.
For many children, the dramatic boom of the cannon is among the most exciting moments of the day, second only to the sweets and festive gatherings that accompany Iftar.
Spiritual reflection and community
While fasting is obligatory for healthy adult Muslims, those facing health barriers such as illness or pregnancy are exempt, based on medical advice. Travellers may postpone fasting and make up the days later. Young children are not required to fast but are often encouraged to participate gradually to build familiarity with the practice.
Beyond abstaining from food and drink, Muslims are encouraged to refrain from sinful speech and behavior during Ramadan. The month emphasizes discipline, compassion and generosity.
In addition to the five daily prayers, many Muslims perform Tarawih prayers each evening after Isha. During the final ten days of Ramadan, devoted worshippers often spend extended hours in mosques, praying and reciting the Quran in anticipation of Laylat Al Qadar, believed to be the night of the first revelation.
Reciting chapters of the Quran throughout the month is highly encouraged
For many, Ramadan offers a deeply spiritual experience, a time for reflection, self-discipline, sacrifice and empathy for the less fortunate. It is also a period that strengthens community bonds and reinforces the importance of charity.