Saudi Arabia sets Eid Friday after moon not sighted
Riyadh — Saudi Arabia will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Friday after the Shawwal moon was not sighted on Wednesday evening, authorities said, marking the completion of Ramadan and determining the timing of one of Islam’s most significant festivals.
The kingdom’s moon-sighting committee confirmed that Thursday will complete 30 days of Ramadan, with Eid falling the following day, in line with the Islamic lunar calendar.
Eid al-Fitr is observed on the first day of Shawwal, the month that follows Ramadan, and its start is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon.
Saudi Arabia, which hosts Islam’s holiest sites, is often followed by several countries in announcing the festival date, though others rely on local moon sightings or astronomical calculations.
The announcement is expected to influence Eid observances across parts of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, where communities often align with Saudi Arabia’s declaration.
Countries that did not sight the moon on Wednesday are likely to mark Eid on Friday, while others may confirm based on local observations.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and is observed with prayers, charitable giving and communal gatherings.
Authorities typically prepare for large congregational prayers and increased travel during the holiday period, one of the busiest times of the year across Muslim-majority countries.
