UAE announces Eid Al Fitr, first day of Shawwal

Dubai: The Shawwal crescent was not sighted in the UAE on Saturday and therefore, Sunday, May 1, will be the last day of the Ramadan, and Monday May 2 will be the first day of Eid Al Fitr, according to the UAE Moon Sighting Committee.

Earlier, the International Astronomical Centre had said that it will be impossible to sight the crescent of Shawwal on Saturday.

Abdullah bin Sultan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice, and Chairman of the Committee, said the committee, after exhausting the sharia methods of sighting the crescent and making the necessary contacts with neighbouring countries, could not sight the Shawwal month crescent on Saturday evening, and therefore declares that Sunday, 1st of May, is the last day of Ramadan 1443, and that Monday, the 2nd of May, is the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

The minister and members of the committee extended warm congratulations on the glorious occasion to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes.

They wished the President good health and wellbeing.

They also congratulated the UAE people and Muslims across the world on the auspicious occasion.