Saudi declares Friday, Eid Al-Fitr
The Supreme Court has announced Friday as the first day of the Eid Al-Fitr holiday after the Shawwal crescent was sighted on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
The Supreme Court said it held a session at its summer headquarters in Taif governorate on Thursday to verify reports it received on sighting of the moon for the month of Shawwal 1436H, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
It said as the crescent for the month of Shawwal was sighted at sunset (Maghrib) this night in a number of governorates, and Friday is Eid Al-Fitr Day.
For Muslims, Eid Al-Fitr celebration begins at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drinks and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk, which is an exercise in self-restraint, intended to bring the faithful closer to Almighty Allah.
Eid Al-Fitr starts when the new moon is spotted in the sky, making the Eid holiday different around the world.
Muslims in Malaysia, far-eastern countries, the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE and much of the Arab world will celebrate Eid Al-Fitr on Friday, while Muslims in other nations such as Iraq, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will observe the holiday on Saturday.