The festival of Eid marks the end of Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Muslims all around observe fasting for a month and conclude it with Eid ul-Fitr which marks the beginning of the month of Shawwal. The sighting of the moon is significant to know which exact date will the festival of Eid fall on. As the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, there is not a fixed date for Eid but this year it is expected to start on the evening of June 14. The first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar marks the ending of Ramadan and start of the religious festival of Eid. Eid al-Fitr 2018 lasts for three days. As the festival begin, individuals engage in buying new clothes, preparing mouth watering sweats and greet each other saying Eid Mubarak.  GIF Images, WhatsApp messages, Facebook greetings and SMSes to wish your near ones on Eid al-Fitr 2018. 

Prediction of moon sighting: 

The moon sightings will differ in different parts of the world. In most Islamic countries, it is predicted that Eid ul-Fitr will be on June 15, Friday,  according to the International Astronomical Centre.

Crescent Moon sighting in UAE: 

Sighting of the crescent moon is of utmost importance. The UAE has made a moon-sighting committee which will hold its first meeting on June 14, Thursday. According to HM Nautical Almanac Office in UK, there should be easy sightings of the new crescent moon possible in the Middle East, North Africa and the United Kingdom on Friday June 15th. Only under excellent conditions, south-western Saudi Arabia and North Africa, may see the crescent moon on June 14th.

Ruet-e-Hilal Research has said that Shawwal will begin on June 16, Saturday in Pakistan. The new moon will begin at 00:43 PST on June 14, Thursday but it cannot be sighted unless its age is a minimum of 19 hours at the time of sunset. So Eid will be celebrated on Saturday.

The festival of Eid ul-Fitr is one of the biggest holy feasts celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The celebrations begin at early dawn starting with prayers and specific rituals. In all the three days people visit their fellow friends and relatives and exchange gifts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 14, 2018 12:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).