Fasting for the month of Ramadan this year will begin on Thursday, June 18th, Qatar's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced.

يوم الخميس 18/6/2015 هو أول أيام شهر رمضان المبارك 1436هـ / 2015 م تقبل الله صيامكم وطاعاتكم

— وزارةالأوقاف القطرية (@AwqafM) June 16, 2015

As the crescent moon was not sighted Tuesday night, the holy month officially begins Wednesday night. The first taraweeh prayers will take place Wednesday evening at mosques around Qatar.

Qatar's neighbouring countries, Saudi Arabia, UAE and other GCC nations will also observe the holy month starting Wednesday night.

Starting Thursday, there will be a ban on eating and drinking in public, and the government will implement the shortened working hours for its employees. Private firms will have their own timings.

Visit our new Ramadan page to stay updated with all the news and a guide to the best Iftars and Suhoors in Doha.