Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid addresses the media in Dubai. File

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated the people of the UAE and all the Arab and Islamic world on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Mohammed said, “We congratulate the people of the Emirates and all the Arab and Islamic peoples on the advent of the holy month... and we ask God for contentment... and victory in Paradise... Ramadan is an opportunity every year. An opportunity to strengthen the cohesion of our societies... renew our family ties... and consolidate the values of goodness and giving in us... Ramadan is not only a month of prayer and fasting... but also a month of love, peace and unity among Muslims. We ask God to accept good deeds from us and from you.”

Officials saw the crescent moon Sunday night in Saudi Arabia, home to the holiest sites in Islam, marking the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan for many of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims.

The sacred month, which sees those observing abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset, marks a period of religious reflection, family get-togethers and giving across the Muslim world. Seeing the moon Sunday night means Monday is the first day of the fast.

However, there are some Asian countries, like Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, that will begin Ramadan on Tuesday after failing to see the crescent moon.