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UAE announces first day of Eid Al Fitr 2020, Shawwal crescent moon not sighted on Friday

Most countries to celebrate Eid on May 24 too.

UAE has announced the first day of Eid Al Fitr after the Shawwal crescent was not sighted on Friday.

The moon-sighting committee issued a statement today that after its meeting tonight at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, May 24 was declared as the first day of Shawwal and the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice, and Chairman of the Committee, said the committee, after exhausting the sharia methods of sighting the crescent and making the necessary contacts with neighbouring countries, could not detect the Shawwal month crescent moon on Friday evening, and therefore declares that tomorrow May 23, is the last day of Ramadan 1441, and that Sunday, May 24, is the first day of Eid, Wam reported.

The minister and members of the committee extended warm congratulations on the glorious occasion to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes. They wished the President good health and wellbeing.

They also congratulated the UAE people and Muslims across the world on the auspicious occasion.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia reported that the Shawwal moon crescent was not sighted on Friday, hence Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, May 24, according to authorities.

This year’s Eid Al Fitr prayer will be performed at home to ensure safety, as mosques across the country will remain closed due to the precautionary measures to contain the spread of Covid-19. The authorities urged public to avoid social gatherings and follow social distancing guidelines.

It will be a 30-day Ramadan, ending on May 23.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent cables of congratulations to the heads of Arab and Islamic states on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

Sheikh Khalifa wished them and their people continued progress, prosperity and stability.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have dispatched similar cables to the leaders of Arab and Islamic states on the auspicious occasion.