Riyadh, June 2: The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called all Muslims residing in the Kingdom to try to sight the crescent moon of Shawwal month tomorrow i.e. June 3. The sighting of the moon will mark the beginning of Eid or Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The sighting of the moon will also signal the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. The date of Eid al-Fitr festival depends on the moon sighting.

The Supreme Court, in its announcement, said whoever sights the crescent by naked eyes or through binoculars must report to the nearest court and register their testimony. A new month, under the Islamic lunar calendar, begins upon the sighting of a crescent moon on the 29th day of the ongoing month. If the moon is not sighted, the month completes 30 days and a new month begins the next day. Eid Moon Sighting 2019: ‘How to Sight The Eid Moon’ And Other Questions Related to Hilal Crescent.

In Saudi Arabia, Ramadan began on May 5. Till June 3, Muslims would have observed 29 fasts. If the moon is sighted tomorrow, Saudi Arabia will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on June 4. If the moon remains invisible, Muslims will observe another fast and Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on June 5. Employees of private sectors in the KSA are entitled to a 4-day holiday for Eid Al Fitr, according to the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2019 05:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).