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Makkah/Dubai: Today, Saturday, is the last
day of the fasting month of Ramadan, and the first day of Eid Al-Fitr
is tomorrow on Sunday (August 19), the Saudi Supreme Court
announced after a meeting last night.
Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and the United Arab Emirates
also announced the celebration to be marked on Sunday, following
the sighting of the new moon that will mark the beginning of the
lunar month of Shawwal, which follows the fasting month of Ramadan
in the Muslim hijri calendar, according to Al Arabiya.
The Saudi Supreme Court made this decision last night during a
meeting at its summer headquarters in Taif province to review all
reports of sightings of the new moon, Arab News quoted from a
statement by the Royal Court.
It said the highest court of the land deemed a complementary day
was necessary due to the lack of evidence of sighting of the new
moon on Friday night.
As such, the first day of Eid Al-Fitr is tomorrow (August 19).
“Thanks to Allah Almighty and Prayer and Peace be Upon the Prophet
who instructed us to fast and breakfast upon sighting the crescent
and if it was not visible, you complete your fasting for the 30th
day and due to the lack of evidence of sighting the new moon this
evening of Friday the 29th of Ramadan of this year 1433 H
corresponding to 17/8/2012, the Supreme Court decides that
Saturday corresponding to 18/8/2012 is the complementary day of
Ramadan 1433 H.
"And that Sunday corresponding to 1/10/1433 H.
according to Ummal Qura calendar which falls on the 19th of August
2012 is the first day of Eid Al-Fitr which falls on the first day
of Shawwal 1433 H.,” said the Supreme Court.
Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from
drinking, eating, smoking and sexual intercourse from sunrise to
sunset.
Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the
belief in the Oneness of God, the finality of the prophethood of
Mohammed, establishment of the daily prayers, concern for and
almsgiving to the needy, and the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca for
those who are able.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two biggest Muslim holidays of the year,
often compared to Christmas in its significance and revelry. The
other major holiday is the sacrificial feast of Eid al-Adha, at
the end of the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
In predominantly Muslim countries, the celebration can last for
three days. Muslims fill the mosques early in the morning to
attend the congregational Eid prayers.
Meanwhile, Indian Muslims are also
preparing them up to sight the new moon today. The new moon will
decide weather Indian Muslims will celebrate Eid tomorrow or day
after.
Though major part of India started
Ramadan from July 21, some parts including Mumbai and part of
Maharashtra began fasting a day later from July 22.
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