Staff writer, Al Arabiya News
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has announced Friday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr holiday after sighting a new moon, Al Arabiya News Channel reported.
For Muslims, Eid al-Fitr celebration begins after the fasting month of Ramadan ends. 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 God.
Eid al-Fitr starts when the new moon is spotted in the sky, making the Eid holiday different around the world.
Muslims in the UK, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Friday, while Muslims in other nations such as Iraq and Bangladesh will observe the holiday on Saturday.
In the United States, too, the first day of Shawwal, which is marked as Eid al Fitr, will begin on Friday, according to the Fiqh Council of North America.
In Dubai, the Eid ul Fitr prayers will begin at 6 am local time, according to Emirates 24/7 News.
In Qatar, the Eid prayers will being at 5.08 am local time
ABU DHABI // Eid Al Fitr will begin on Friday, the UAE has officially announced.
The UAE’s senior leadership have sent and received Eid Al Fitr greetings from heads of state from around the world, according to the state news agency, Wam.
Sheikh Khalifa, the President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, have sent congratulatory cables to their counterparts in other Arab and Islamic countries.
The country’s leaders have received Eid greetings from world leaders including US president Barack Obama and British prime minister David Cameron.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, also sent cables to the wives of heads of state of Arab and Islamic countries.
Source: Islamic News Daily
