Multiple Countries Announce Eid al-Fitr Dates Amid Shawwal Moon Sightings

Several countries across the Middle East and Africa have announced that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday after completing 30 days of fasting, as the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted.

In the Middle East, countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq confirmed Friday as the festival day.

Several African nations — including Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda, Nigeria, Chad, Gambia, Guinea, Benin, Senegal, and Cameroon — also announced Friday for Eid celebrations. Australia and Maldives have likewise set Friday as the date.

Turkey and Australia determined the date based on astronomical calculations and observations.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Niger, and Mali are celebrating Eid on Thursday after confirming the sighting of the Shawwal moon.

In contrast, countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are scheduled to observe the moon on Thursday evening, with Eid to be celebrated on Friday or Saturday depending on the sighting.

Other countries awaiting moon sighting decisions include Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Iran, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania.