Eid Al Fitr marks the end of the month-long Ramadan fast for Muslims and is a celebration that begins when the new crescent Moon is visible. This celebration is accompanied by a paid holiday for public and private sector workers in the UAE. The Emirates Astronomical Society has forecasted April 10 as Eid Al Fitr’s start date this year. According to Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the society’s chairman, the Shawwal crescent Moon will coincide with the total solar eclipse occurring on April 8 at 10:22 pm in the UAE. This means the crescent will not be visible until April 9 – the 30th day of Ramadan – and Eid Al Fitr will therefore begin on April 10. Like Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr’s start date will be confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee, which is composed of astronomers, court officials, and advisers from the Emirates’ Islamic authority. They look for the new crescent Moon, which signals the beginning of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Eid Al Fitr is a celebratory occasion marked by morning prayers, family get-togethers, gift-giving, and charitable donations. A public holiday accompanies Eid Al Fitr, allowing many people to take time off work to travel abroad or take short trips in the region. According to the Islamic calendar, the holiday will run from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3. Ramadan 29 corresponds with April 8 on the Gregorian calendar, meaning this is set to be the first day of the public holiday. The duration of the break depends on the duration of Ramadan. If the holy month lasts 29 days, the Eid public holiday will run from April 8 to April 11. If it extends to 30 days, it will run from April 8 to April 12. Mr. Al Jarwan’s prediction suggests the public holiday will run until April 12. The dates will be confirmed in accordance with the relevant Moon sightings.
