Saudi Arabia Declares Friday As Eid-el-Fitr Day

Saudi Arabia has announced that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration marking the end of the Ramadan fast will commence on Friday.

The announcement was made in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency on behalf of the country’s Supreme Court.

According to the statement, the decision followed the completion of 30 days of Ramadan, in line with Islamic lunar calendar traditions.

“The Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Thursday, is the completion of the 30th day of the month of Ramadan, and that Friday is the day of the Blessed Eid al-Fitr,” the statement read.

The timing of Eid-el-Fitr is traditionally determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the end of the fasting period.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires Muslims to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and other physical needs during daylight hours.

The period is also marked by acts of charity, with believers encouraged to support the less privileged.

Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s two holiest sites, the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, witnesses widespread observance of the fasting period.

This year’s Ramadan festivities across parts of the Muslim world were, however, overshadowed by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The conflict, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, has led to heightened insecurity in the region, with reports of missile and drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure and civilian areas.

Despite the tensions, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and beyond are expected to mark Eid-el-Fitr with prayers, celebrations and acts of generosity.