Authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Shawwal was not sighted, meaning the holy month of Ramadan will complete 30 days this year.
With this development, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday across the Kingdom.
The update was shared by Haramain, a Saudi-based online platform, which stated that the Shawwal 1447 AH crescent was not seen anywhere in the country, confirming that fasting will continue for one more day before the festival.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar, had earlier called on Muslims to look out for the new moon, in line with Islamic tradition.
Muslims worldwide have been observing Ramadan since mid-February, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn to dusk, as part of the spiritual exercise which lasts either 29 or 30 days depending on moon sighting.
In anticipation of the celebration, the Federal Government of Nigeria has already declared public holidays for Thursday and Friday to mark Eid-el-Fitr. The announcement was made by Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.
The minister congratulated Muslim faithful and urged them to uphold the values of sacrifice, discipline, and compassion learned during Ramadan. He also encouraged Nigerians to use the period to pray for peace, unity, and stability, while celebrating moderately and extending kindness to the less privileged.
