Saudi Arabia to Mark Eidul Fitr on Friday

RIYADH: Saudi authorities have announced that Eidul Fitr will be observed on Friday, according to an official statement carried by state media outlets. The Saudi Supreme Court declared that Thursday would complete the 30 days of Ramazan, confirming Friday as the first day of Eidul Fitr, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This year, Ramazan celebrations across much of the Muslim world have taken place amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following the conflict sparked by attacks involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

In response, Iran has launched a series of retaliatory strikes across parts of the Gulf region, targeting airports, residential neighbourhoods, energy facilities and military sites with missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s space agency, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), had earlier projected that Eidul Fitr was likely to be observed on March 21, noting that the possibility of sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 19 appeared minimal. However, it emphasised that the official announcement would rest with the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee.

Similarly, the Pakistan Meteorological Department had indicated that Ramazan would probably run for 30 days, as visibility of the Shawwal moon on March 19 was considered unlikely.