Announcement of the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have officially announced that Thursday will be the last day of Ramadan, and that Friday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr. This announcement came after the new moon of Shawwal was not sighted on Wednesday evening, meaning that Ramadan will have completed 30 days, according to the Islamic calendar and the astronomical calculations used in both countries.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia issued an official statement confirming its decision, based on reports received from moon-sighting committees distributed throughout the Kingdom. Similarly, the committee tasked with sighting the crescent moon of Shawwal in the United Arab Emirates announced a similar decision, thus aligning the two countries in determining the start of this great Islamic occasion, which Muslims eagerly await with joy and love.
General context and historical background of crescent moon sighting
Since the dawn of Islam, Muslims have relied on the lunar calendar to determine the beginnings of the Islamic months, especially Ramadan and Shawwal, which mark the start and end of the fast. The process of sighting the new moon, known as "al-Tara'i," is a confirmed Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), where the start of the new month is established by the direct visual sighting of the crescent moon after sunset on the 29th day of the preceding month.
If the sighting is not possible due to clouds, weather conditions, or the astronomical birth of the crescent moon, the month is completed as thirty days, which is what happened this year, as Muslims completed fasting for thirty days of the blessed month of Ramadan, in compliance with the noble Prophetic guidance that regulates this religious ritual with extreme precision.
The importance of the event and its expected impact locally and regionally
The announcement of the first day of Eid al-Fitr holds great significance on several levels. Locally in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, official and public preparations for the Eid celebrations begin. Eid prayers are held in mosques and designated prayer areas, and families exchange visits and greetings, strengthening social bonds and family unity. The economic sector also experiences a noticeable boost, with markets, shopping centers, retail outlets, and domestic tourism all bustling thanks to the extended Eid holiday granted by governments to employees in both the public and private sectors.
Regionally and internationally, the announcement by Saudi Arabia and the UAE is widely followed by many Arab and Islamic countries, as well as Muslim communities in Western countries, who often rely on the announcement from Mecca due to its religious significance as the direction of prayer (Qibla) for Muslims. This agreement on the date of Eid reflects a form of unity and solidarity among Muslim peoples and highlights the spiritual and cultural importance of Eid al-Fitr as a divine reward after a full month of fasting, prayer, and worship.
