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UAE calls on Muslims to search for Shawwal crescent moon this Thursday

April 20 is the 29th day of Ramadan; the sighting of the moon would signify the end of the holy month and the beginning of Eid Al Fitr

Published: Tue 18 Apr 2023, 3:33 PM

Updated: Thu 20 Apr 2023, 8:10 AM

The UAE has called upon all Muslims in the country to sight the crescent moon on Thursday evening (April 20), which corresponds with Ramadan 29 (1444 AH) in the Islamic calendar.

Sighting of the Shawwal moon would signify the end of the holy month of Ramadan and would also mark the beginning of Eid Al Fitr. The UAE's moon sighting committee requested anyone who sees the crescent to contact the number 026921166 to be directed to the nearest court to record the testimony.

If the moon is spotted on Thursday, April 20, Eid will be declared on Friday, April 21. If the moon is not sighted, then April 22 will be the start of Eid. Residents in the UAE will get a four-day or a five-day break, depending on the date the Moon is sighted.

If Eid is on Friday, residents will get a four-day break from Thursday to Sunday (Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3). If on Saturday, the break will be for five days -Thursday to Monday.

Saudi Arabia has also called upon all Muslims to search for the crescent moon on Thursday night.

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