Saudi Arabia, many countries of world mark Eidul Fitr today
World
Eidul Fitr is being celebrated in Middle East, Egypt and Jordan, Europe and Americas on Friday.
MAKKAH (Web Desk) – Eidul Fitr is being celebrated in Saudi Arabia with millions of faithful from around the world offering prayers in Grand Mosque and Majid-e-Nabvi on Friday.
The grand mufti, in his sermon after the prayers, urged unity and sacrifice for the poor and the needy among the faithful.
He said salvation of mankind lies in following the commandments of Allah and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUP).
He prayed may Allah Almighty create mutual love and harmony in the world of Islam.
Eidul Fitr is being celebrated in Middle East, Egypt and Jordan, Europe and Americas on Friday. However, in many European countries and Americas, followers of some sects will mark Eid on Saturday.
In Libya, the religious authorities based in the capital of Tripoli, announced Eid celebration on Saturday, while in the eastern part, run by a rival administration, authorities marked the festival on Friday.
In Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, Eid will be celebrated on Saturday.
Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, the head of the Taliban-appointed judiciary, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, announced Eidul Fitr would fall on Friday.
As the moon could not be sighted on Thursday in Phillippines, the country will celebrate Eid on Saturday.
But, In Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population, religious affairs minister announced on Thursday that Eid would be celebrated on Saturday.
In some countries with a Shiite Muslim majority, authorities have announced Eid would be celebrated on Saturday.
Statements from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iraq's highest Shiite authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, said Eid would be celebrated on Saturday in their countries.
In Oman, too, the religious festival would be marked on Saturday.
The celebration
Muslims worldwide celebrate Eidul Fitr at the end of month-long fasting of Ramazan. The date of the Eid varies, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Lunar months are either 29 or 30 days long, so Muslims typically have to wait until the night before Eid to confirm the date.
If the new moon is visible (called Chaand Raat in Pakistan and India), then Eid will be celebrated the following day. Otherwise, Muslims will fast for one more day to complete the 30-day month. The announcement of the Eid is made via television, radio stations and mosques once the sighting of the moon has been confirmed.
