Muslims in India will celebrate Eid ul-Fitr on April 11 (Thursday) as the moon was not sighted on Tuesday, announced Muslim religious leader Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli. The announcement was made by the Markazi Chand Committee Eidgah Lucknow, confirming the non-sighting of the moon for Eid. Imams of Delhi's Jama Masjid and Fatehpuri mosque also confirmed the same that Eid would be celebrated in India on Thursday, according to news agency PTI.
"The new moon of Shawwal has not occurred on 9th April 2024. Therefore, tomorrow is the 30th Roza and Eid-ul-Fitr will be on 11 April 2024. Eid ul Fitr prayers will be held at Idgah Lucknow on 11 April 2024 at 10 am," the notification read.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, Chairperson of the Islamic Centre of India (ICI), told PTI, "The Moon could not be sighted in Lucknow on April 9 and there is no information on Moon sighting from any other part of India. Hence, it is announced that the 30th roza will be observed tomorrow (on April 10) and on April 11, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the country."
Eid Celebrations In Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates On Wednesday
Earlier, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam's holiest shrines, declared that Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Ramadan fast, will begin on Wednesday (April 10). The Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of the moon, confirming Wednesday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
The timing of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, according to the Muslim lunar calendar. Reports from Saudi media outlets indicated that the crescent moon was not visible on Monday.
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In the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Eid al-Fitr will also commence on Wednesday. Typically celebrated with family gatherings, the holiday marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, breaking their fast with family and friends in the evening. It's also a time for increased prayer, with worshippers congregating at mosques, particularly during night prayers.
However, this year's Ramadan festivities were overshadowed by the conflict in Gaza, where Israel's military campaign against Hamas resulted in significant casualties. The war, sparked by Hamas militants' attack against Israel, led to extensive loss of life and ongoing tensions in the region.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire before Ramadan were unsuccessful, and talks in Cairo have yet to yield significant progress, news agency AFP reported. Despite the challenges, Muslims around the world continue to observe Ramadan and prepare for the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr.