Telescopes installed atop Jebel Jais to spot the crescent

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The International Astronomy Center begins the preparations and installation of the telescope to detect the crescent moon of the blessed month of Ramadan from the highest peak in the UAE, Jebel Jais.

The UAE moon-sighting committee will meet virtually on Monday after the Maghreb prayer under the chairmanship of Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice to indicate the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Crescent been sighted in various parts of the world.

"The countries that declared Tuesday the first blessed month of Ramadan are: Turkey, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Egypt. The rest of the countries will investigate the crescent tomorrow evening, Monday, to determine the start of Ramadan to be on Tuesday or Wednesday," the centre tweeted.

The special equipment being set up atop the mountain towers at an altitude of 1,900 metres above sea level.