Mumbai/Dubai/Riyadh: Muslims around the Arab world including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Jordan, the United States of America (USA), Europe and Bangladesh on Monday celebrated Eid al-Fitr, a holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
[Muslims celebrate by coming together with friends and family, preparing sweets, wearing new clothes, giving each other gifts. (Photo: Reuters)]
The Royal Court of Saudi Arabia and UAE moon sighting commitee announced on Sunday that Eid al-Fitr would begin on July 28, after the crescent moon was spotted, signaling the start of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
To signify the beginning of Eid and in compliance with the Sunnah, or practices of the Prophet Mohammad, many Muslims wake up early in the morning and pray Salat ul-Fajr, or the dawn prayer.
Muslims celebrate Eid al Fitr by coming together with friends and family, preparing sweets, wearing new clothes, giving each other gifts and putting up lights and other decorations in their homes. A usual greeting during this celebration is Eid Mubarak, which means, “Have a blessed Eid.”
But holiday celebrations are likely to be mired by a deadly conflict between the Israeli army and Palestinian group Hamas, which over the past two weeks has resulted in the death of more than 1,050 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly Palestinian civilians.
Also events in Iraq, where militants belonging to Sunni jihadist group the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, are likely to put a downer on celebrations. In recent months, the jihadists have claimed swathes of Iraqi cities and are battling with Iraqi security forces.
This year, most of the Arab, European, American and Canadian Muslims celebrated the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr on the same dates as Saudi Arabia.
Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, Syria, Jordan, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates have also said Eid al-Fitr would begin Monday.
The Iraqi and Palestinian grand muftis have also made similar announcements.
In India and Pakistan however Monday is 29th day of Ramadan and they will see the new moon today evening. If the new moon is sighted today, they will celebrate the Eid on Tuesday else the first day of Eid in these countries will be Wednesday.
The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar system and the first day of the new month is counted with sighting of the new moon.
The moon sighting tradition was pioneered by Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and carried on, as a religious practice, by Muslims of today. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Fast when you see the new moon, break your fast when you see the new moon."
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