Saudi Arabia has announced that the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, will begin on Friday, according to a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency.
The Supreme Court has decided that Thursday is the completion of the 30th day of the month of Ramadan, and that Friday is the day of the Blessed Eid ul-Fitr.
Eid Al-Fitr Celebrations
The timing of the holiday is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Muslim lunar calendar. Observing the Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, requiring believers to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours.
Observant Muslims are also encouraged to donate to the poor. Fasting is widely practised in Saudi Arabia, home of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. For more information on the history and significance of Eid al-Fitr, visit the Wikipedia page on the topic.
Global Ramadan Festivities
Across the Muslim world, Ramadan festivities this year were overshadowed by the ongoing war in the Middle East. The Gulf region has been pummelled with repeated strikes by Iran in a retaliatory blitz, with airports, residential areas, energy installations and military bases targeted with ballistic missiles and drones.
Some of the key effects of the conflict include:
- Disruption to global oil supplies
- Increased tensions between Iran and its neighbours
- Humanitarian crises in affected areas
The situation remains volatile, with no clear end in sight. As the Muslim world celebrates Eid al-Fitr, many are also praying for a swift and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
