RIYADH: The Shawwal crescent moon was not visible in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, thus the country will celebrate Eidul Fitr on Monday, May 2.
Eid ul Fitr is observed on the first day of Shawwal, the Hijri calendar month after Ramadan.
In the meanwhile, the UAE Moon Sighting Committee will issue an official declaration.
The first day of Shawwal month is Eidul Fitr, also known as Eid-al-Fitr. Because lunar months are shorter than solar months, Eidul Fitr comes around 10-11 days earlier each year, depending on the presence of the crescent moon. As a result, it varies by about a day from nation to country.
After the rest of the world has decided when to celebrate the holiday, the crescent moon is first glimpsed in Saudi Arabia.
On the second day of the crescent moon sighting in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan generally celebrates Eid.
