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Eid al-Fitr 2024: Saudi Arabia confirms Eid for Wednesday


The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) officially announced Wednesday as the date for Eid al-Fitr 2024 on Monday.

RIYADH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) officially announced Wednesday as the date for Eid al-Fitr 2024 on Monday.

The decision came after the new moon of Shawwal was not sighted. Shawwal is the tenth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, following Ramazan.

Most countries around the world follow KSA’s lead and will celebrate Eid on Wednesday.

Read more: Four special trains to facilitate passengers on Eid

Across the world, Eid al-Fitr 2024 will commence with early morning prayers, typically held in open spaces to accommodate large congregations. Following the prayers, families gather for breakfast, and visit relatives to exchange gifts. In some cultures, children receive money as well.

The precise date of varies each year based on the sighting of the new moon according to the Islamic lunar calendar. In Muslim-majority countries, committees convene to sight the new crescent moon.

The sighting of the moon marks the official commencement of Eid festivities, following a process involving careful observation and consultation to ensure accuracy.

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated diversely worldwide, with each region showcasing its unique customs. In Pakistan and the wider South Asian diaspora, Muslims celebrate “Chaand Raat” or the ‘Night of the Moon’ on the eve of Eid al-Fitr.

Traditionally, families and friends come together to catch sight of the new moon, usually on the roofs of their houses or in the streets. Women decorate their hands with “mehndi” designs while last-minute shopping is also common.

Preparations for Eid festivities include desserts called sewiyan and mithai. The streets, malls, and markets are covered with vibrant decorations, including vendors selling jewellry and traditional glass bangles for women called churiyan.

Sewiyan

Religiously, it is customary for Muslims to wear their finest clothing to symbolise the significance of the occasion.

Read more: UAE likely to join Pakistan in Eid celebrations

Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims engage in “Zakat-ul-Fitr”, an act of charitable giving referred to as the “charity of breaking the fast.” The donation is usually a predetermined amount per person and serves to help the less privileged in the Eid festivities.

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