The United Arab Emirates will use drones with artificial intelligence (AI) technology to monitor the moon to help determine the start of Ramadan, the country’s Fatwa Council has announced.
Monitoring with drones and AI technology will complement traditional methods of observing the moon with the naked eye. This will make it possible to determine more accurately and efficiently when Ramadan, the holy lunar month for Muslims, will begin. The use of AI and drones will make the Emirates the first country in the world to use such high-tech methods to determine the start of Ramadan.
Earlier, the UAE’s Fatwa Council called on citizens and residents to take part in observing the moon on the evening of February 28. If the new crescent moon is sighted after evening prayers, Ramadan in the UAE will begin on March 1. Otherwise, the fasting will begin on March 2.
Every year, Muslims across the country wait for the new moon to appear to begin the religious fast, which lasts 29 or 30 days. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from sunrise to sunset.
