The announcement for the commencement of Eid al-Fitr has been made. Eid al-Fitr is a significant celebration for Muslims worldwide, marking the end of Ramadan, a month dedicated to fasting from dawn till dusk. The festival kicks off on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, following the sighting of the new crescent moon.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed that Eid al-Fitr will begin on Friday, March 20, after the crescent moon was not sighted in the kingdom. The decision was made by religious scholars who scanned the skies post the Maghrib prayer to ascertain the start of the festivities.
While Saudi Arabia is a key reference point for Eid dates due to its Islamic significance, other countries have their own protocols. For instance, Morocco relies on its national moon-sighting system, and some communities, like those in the UK, might opt to follow Morocco’s calendar instead.
In alignment with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations, the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee has also declared Friday, March 20, as the first day of Eid al-Fitr. Federal government employees in the UAE have been granted public holidays from Thursday, March 19, to Sunday, March 22, with work resuming on Monday, March 23.
In the UAE, Eid al-Fitr prayers are scheduled to take place only within mosques and not in open areas, as a precautionary measure amid regional tensions linked to geopolitical conflicts. Qatar has also confirmed that Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Friday, March 20, in line with other Gulf countries following Saudi Arabia’s announcement.
Eid al-Fitr is observed on the first day of Shawwal, signifying the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting. The sighting of the new crescent moon marks the beginning of Shawwal and the festivities of Eid, a time when Muslims come together to celebrate.
The exact date of Eid al-Fitr each year is determined by the sighting of the new moon, as the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle. This variation in moon sightings results in different Eid celebration days across the globe.