RIYADH: Eid al-Fitr is being observed today across much of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as millions of Muslims gather in prayer and celebration after the conclusion of Ramadan.
The festival begins with the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the end of the fasting month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the core pillars of Islam, and the occasion of Eid is also marked by charity and acts of generosity toward those in need.
Some of the largest prayer gatherings took place at the holy sites of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, where vast numbers of worshippers offered Eid prayers and prayed for unity and peace across the Muslim world.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud conveyed his Eid greetings to Muslims globally, emphasizing the importance of harmony and stability.
Celebrations are also taking place in countries such as Palestine, Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, and Iraq.
Beyond the region, Eid is also being marked in Australia, where Anthony Albanese joined worshippers at a mosque in Sydney and extended greetings, while also addressing questions regarding his country’s position on the Gaza situation.
Meanwhile, Muslim communities in the United States and Singapore are celebrating today, whereas in the United Kingdom observances vary, with some marking Eid today and others the following day.
In contrast, Afghanistan celebrated Eid a day earlier, while countries including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia are expected to observe the festival on March 21 due to the moon not being sighted earlier.
