The moon sighting committee in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced that the crescent or Shawwal moon had not been sighted. Therefore, Wednesday, May 12, will be the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, and the first day of Eid-al-Fitr will be celebrated on Thursday, May 13.
The moon sighting is first observed in Saudi Arabia to determine the day of Eid-ul-Fitr. In India, the holy festival is marked on the second day of moon sighting in Saudi Arabia. Hence, Eid-ul-Fitr in India will be observed on Friday, May 14 this year.
The Institute of Astronomical & Geophysical Research of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh determines the Umm al-Qura calendar which is followed by Saudi Arabia.
On Eid-ul-Fitr, muslims across the globe offer prayers to Allah, exchange gifts, devour on traditional food and wish each other ‘Eid Mubuarak’. Muslims also offer ‘Zakat’, which is considered one of the five pillars of Islam. Not only that, as a token of equality, people also donate a part of their earnings to charity.
