Dubai: It's Eid Al Fitr on Tuesday for millions of Muslims across the globe who are celebrating after a month-long day time fasting during Ramadan.
People were seen dressed in their best clothes and hugging and kissing friends and relatives. In the UAE, festivities start soon after the early morning prayers at the various prayer grounds and mosques across the emirates.
The moon sighting committee chaired by Hadif Juan Al Dahiri, Minister of Justice, which met in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, said that the new moon was sighted on Monday evening.
Complete list of Eid prayer locations in UAE
Read more Eid and Ramadan-related stories
The committee said that in cooperation with neighbouring countries in the region, Monday will be the last day of Ramadan, and Tuesday will be the first day of Eid.
Special day
For many people the first day of Eid is exclusively for visiting relatives and the elders of the family. For expatriate Muslims, many of whom are away from their families, it is a day for long-distance calls. Special food is prepared at homes to serve on the occasion.
Unlike last year, it is still hit and humid and not exactly weather for a day at the beach. Temperature in the coastal areas is expected to remain between 28 to 43 degree Celsius, 26 to 47 in the interior areas, and 25 to 35 in the mountainous areas. But still people came out in large numbers to relax in the green parks and barbecue their lunch.
Muslims depend on the tradition of sighting the Moon to declare the Eid day at end of Ramadan. If the Moon is not sighted by the naked eye, than neighbouring countries are contacted, said a member of the Moon sighting committee.
Moon sighting to determine the first day of Eid Al Fitr is always a tough task, an astronomer who is also the member of the UAE Moon Sighting Committee, told Gulf News on Monday.
"During the last two days of the month, the moon will be beyond the horizon after sun set, so it is difficult to observe it with the set conditions or parameters to determine the first day of Shawwal which is the first day of Eid Al Fitr," said Sakher Abdulla Al Saif, who is also a member of Emirates Astronomy League.
Countries celebrating Eid
Saudi Arabia and Qatar will also be joining the UAE in celebrating Eid on Tuesday.
Other countries celebrating the first day of Eid on Tuesday include Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon.
In the UAE the festivities start soon after the early morning prayers at the various prayer grounds and mosques.
Muslims depend on the tradition of sighting the moon to declare the Eid day at the end of Ramadan. If the moon is not sighted, neighbouring countries are contacted, said a member of the moon-sighting committee.
Cables of congratulations
Their Highnesses Highness Supreme Council Member and rulers of the emirates, Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, of Ajman, and Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, of Ras Al Khaimah, extended a cable of congratulations and best wishes to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Shaikh Humaid and Shaikh Saud also sent cables of eid congratulations to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Member, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Their Highnesses Highness Supreme Council Member and rulers of the emirates, Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, of Sharjah, and, Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, of Umm Al Quwain extended cables of congratulations and best wishes to Shaikh Khalifa.
Shaikh Humaid and Shaikh Saud also sent cables of Eid congratulations to Shaikh Mohammad and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed.
With inputs from WAM
