Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states announce Friday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr

Announcement of the date of the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries

Saudi Arabia and several other Gulf Arab states announced that Thursday would be the last day of Ramadan and that Friday would mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr. This official announcement came after the crescent moon of Shawwal was not sighted on Wednesday evening, according to the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia and the official moon-sighting committees in neighboring countries.

Details of the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal

The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia held a special session to review reports from courts and astronomical observatories regarding the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal. After examining the reports, it was confirmed that the crescent moon was not sighted with the naked eye or with binoculars at any of the Kingdom's observatories. Therefore, and in accordance with the Prophetic tradition, it was decided that Ramadan would complete thirty days, with Thursday being the last day of the holy month, and Friday the first day of Shawwal and the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

In a related context, the crescent sighting committees in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait announced identical decisions, confirming that Friday is the first day of Eid, reflecting the geographical and astronomical agreement among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in determining important religious occasions.

Historical and legal background of crescent sighting

The Islamic lunar calendar is based primarily on the lunar cycle, with each lunar month beginning with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Observing the new moon is a confirmed Sunnah (practice of the Prophet Muhammad), as Muslims rely on visual sighting to determine the beginning and end of Ramadan. In modern times, Islamic countries, particularly those in the Gulf region, have adopted a system that combines the traditional naked-eye observation with precise astronomical calculations and modern observatories to ensure the accurate determination of lunar months and avoid any confusion that might arise due to weather conditions.

The importance of Eid al-Fitr and its expected impact

Eid al-Fitr holds immense religious and social significance for Muslims worldwide, representing the reward for those who fasted after a full month of worship and abstinence from food and drink. Locally and regionally, the celebrations are marked by Eid prayers held in mosques and open squares, followed by family visits and the exchange of greetings, and the giving of Zakat al-Fitr, which reinforces the values ​​of solidarity and social compassion.

Economically, the Eid al-Fitr season witnesses a significant boost in local and Gulf markets. Commercial activity increases noticeably in the retail, clothing, food, and confectionery sectors. The tourism, travel, and hospitality sector also experiences a surge in demand, as families take advantage of the official Eid holiday declared by governments for both the public and private sectors for travel and leisure, thus contributing positively and effectively to stimulating the economic cycle.

Internationally, political leaders in the Gulf states and the Arab and Islamic worlds exchange congratulatory messages on this occasion, strengthening diplomatic and fraternal ties between nations. Muslim communities in Western countries also celebrate the holiday, highlighting the cultural and religious diversity within those societies and reinforcing the values ​​of peaceful coexistence.