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Crescent sighting Image Credit: Sabq

Eid in UAE

The Shawwal moon-sighting committee in the UAE has announced that Friday, June 15 will be the first day of the month of Shawwal and the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

The announcement came in a statement after the committee held a meeting on Thursday evening after Maghreb prayer at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department in the capital.

Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice and chair of the committee, announced Thursday evening at the judicial department, that after exhausting all legitimate methods and making contacts with neighbouring countries, the Shawwal moon has been sighted and therefore Friday, June 15, 2018 will be the first day of Shawwal 1439 Hijri.

Al Badi and the committee members extended Eid greetings to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates.

He also greeted the people of the UAE and Muslims across the world on the occasion.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to bless President with continued good health and well-being for the Arab and Muslim Nations.

The resolution setting up the UAE moon-sighting committee was issued on June 21 by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice.

The committee is chaired by the minister, and its members include a number of officials. The resolution called on all Sharia Courts nationwide to detect the crescent moon and inform the committee. 

-By Anwar Ahmad, Staff Reporter 

Kuwait

Kuwait will celebrate Eid Al Fitr on Friday.

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain

Saudi Royal Court and Bahrain announce Eid Al Fitr on Friday, June 15.

Oman announces

Oman has announced Eid Al Fitr on Friday, June 15.

UAE to announce soon

UAE moon sighting committee to make Eid announcement soon. The committee, formed under the orders of Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice, held its meeting after Maghrib prayers. 

Dr Ahmad Al Ahdal, a Moon Sighting Committee member speaks before the announcement: "The committee has not yet reached a decision. But as soon as the Shawwal moon is sighted, we will give people accurate information."

Saudi Arabia sights Eid moon

Saudi Arabia sights Shawwal moon, meaning first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on Friday, June 15.

Eid in Kerala declared

Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid announced that Eid will be celebrated on June 16 (Saturday) in India, as there was no sight of moon. However, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Friday in Kerala as the crescent moon was sighted in Kozhikode, according to media report.

Indonesia to celebrate Eid on Friday

Indonesia will celebrate Eid Al Fitr on Friday, June 15 as the moon sighting has been confirmed in Jakarta. Malaysia and Singapore have also reported Eid moon sighting and will celebrate Eid Al Fitr on Friday. 

Saudi Supreme Court calls on Muslims to report Shawwal crescent sighting 
  

The Saudi Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the crescent of the month of Shawwal on Thursday evening, Ramadan 29, 1439H.

Shawwal moon sighted in Jebel Hafeet

Dubai: The Shawwal moon has been sighted in Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, according to International Astronomical Centre, the Abu Dhabi Media Network has reported. This means Eid Al Fitr will most probably begin tomorrow, Friday. However, the UAE’s moon sighting committee will officially make the announcement later this evening. 

The shawwal moon was sighted on Thursday June 14, 2018 at 3:43pm from the top of Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain, using Astrophotography equipment during daylight by the International Astronomical Center (IAC). 


Eid Al Fitr Prayer timings in UAE

Abu Dhabi: 5:50am
Dubai:5:45am
Sharjah:5:44am
Ajman:5:45am
UAQ:5:43am
RAK:5:41am
Fujairah: 5:41am
Al Ain :5:45am
Al Dhafrah:5:55am
 

Official announcement

The moon-sighting committee of the UAE will convene on Thursday night (June 14) to deliberate on and announce when Eid Al Fitr will fall this year. Expected to fall on Friday or Saturday, this would determine private and public sector Eid holidays.

The committee, formed under the directive of Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice, convenes on Thursday - the 29th day of Ramadan. They will meet after Maghrib prayers at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

They're looking to announce is when the first day of Shawwal would fall, which is essentially the first day of Eid. The committee has also called upon all Sharia courts across the country to look out for the crescent moon, to inform the committee of any sightings.

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Holidays

The date announced affects employee holidays for Eid, depending on whether it is Friday or Saturday. For the public sector, if Eid falls on Friday, first of Shawwal, holidays for the public sector would be from Thursday to Sunday (third day of Shawwal) or four days off. However, if Eid falls on Saturday, first of Shawwal, then the holidays would be from Thursday to Monday (third day of Shawwal) making it a five-day weekend for the public sector.

For the private sector, holidays will fall on the first two days of Shawwal. If the first day of Shawwal is on Friday, this would mean a holiday on Friday and Saturday - and if you already are off on Saturday, this would mean no extra days off. If Eid falls on Saturday, as the first day of Shawwal, employees could get Sunday off as the second day of Shawwal.