Ramadan 2025: UAE to use drones for Moon sighting in world first

The UAE will be using drones to help sight the Ramadan crescent, the UAE Council for Fatwa announced on Friday, becoming the first in the world to do so.

These drones will be equipped with artificial intelligence technology.

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The UAE has called on all Muslims to sight the Moon for Ramadan on the evening of Friday, February 28. The date corresponds to 29 Shaban AD in the Umm Al Qura calendar which has been developed by the country to determine dates and months.

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The council highlighted that the observation using drones will be considered an extension of 'direct vision', which is considered to be the basis for confirming the sighting of the crescent moon.

This is in accordance with the saying of the Prophet (PBUH), who said: “Do not fast until you see the crescent moon, and do not break your fast until you see it. If it is obscured from you, estimate it.”

The monitoring will be carried out in addition to the sighting with the naked eye, and the astronomical observatories spread across the country, which use the best advanced devices and machines to ensure the accuracy of sighting the crescent moon.

These machines provide confirmed scientific results and data in the crescent observation operations, in coordination and cooperation with national institutions, specialised centers and astronomical observatories, the authority stated.

If the Moon is spotted on Friday evening after the Maghrib prayer, Ramadan will commence on March 1. Whereas, if the crescent is not sighted, then the holy month will begin on March 2.

The country's International Astronomy Centre said Ramadan is likely to begin on March 1. Every year, faithful residents across the country await the Moon sighting which determines the commencement of the holy month.

The UAE's Federal Authority for Government Human Resources earlier announced official working hours for government employees in the country during the month of Ramdan.

For private sector employees in the country, working hours have been reduced by two hours per day during the holy month.

Saudi Arabia too called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent for Ramadan on the evening of Friday, February 28.