Moonsighting

When we were doing groceries at mini Coop near our place, the security guard gave me this...

It's a Ramadan Planner. First notepad is specified for Prayer Timings (8x a day!), second notepad is for the Grocery List and third notepad is for Menu List. Every Ramadan, they have 6-8 hours of fasting time everyday for 1 month from sunrise to sunset. After which, they have Iftar or breaking the fast. So during night time when the sun is out they have a feast, hence, the menu and grocery list.


For us non-Muslims, we are not aware that Ramadan starts with moonsighting.


"The traditional method, mentioned in the Qur'an and followed by the Prophet Muhammad, is to look to the sky and visibly sight the slight crescent moon (hilal) that marks the beginning of the month. If one sees the hilal at night, the next day is the first day of Ramadan and thus the first day of fasting.  At the end of the month, when the community sights the hilal again, the Festival of Fast-Breaking ('Eid al-Fitr) begins.    
Source: islam.about.com"


By chance, while walking going home from one of our latte' nights, I looked up the dark sky and saw the moon. I was amazed that it's really starting to look like this...

And when Ramadan comes, the moon will exactly look like the Islamic crescent and star. They say this is very visible in Saudi Arabia where Mecca is located.

I am amazed seeing the moon like this for the first time. They say you will only see it when in the Middle East and during Ramadan. Though it feels more of like an omen, I am also beginning to appreciate UAE's culture, religion, the people, and the land that I feel has been tested and blessed by faith, prayers and time.