Jeddah : The majority of Muslims around the world celebrated on Monday Eid al-Fitr, a holiday marking the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan while the remaining Muslims will celebrate the festival on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that Eid al-Fitr would begin on July 28, after the crescent moon was spotted, signaling the start of Shawwal. All other Gulf States except Oman are also celebrating Eid on Monday. Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta (House of Fatwa) also announced that Monday will be the start of `Eid Al-Fitr. Muslims in the United States, Australia, European countries and Canada markrf `Eid Al-Fitr on Monday.
Grand Mufti of Iraq Rafi al-Rifai announced Eid on Monday. Yemen, Italy and France have all announced Sunday as the last day of Ramadan and Monday the first day of `Eid Al-Fitr. The Higher Judicial Council of Palestine has also announced that Sunday will be the last day of Ramadan. Therefore, Monday will be the first day of `Eid Al-Fitr. But in Oman, Maldives and Malawi, `Eidul Fitr will be celebrated on Tuesday, as the moon was not sighted. Eid will be on Tuesday in most parts of the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Muslims celebrate the festival 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.” 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.