Tuesday marks beginning of Muslims' Eid al-Fitr
DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
The first day of Eid al-Fitr - the Muslim fast-breaking feast - will be marked on Tuesday, religious authorities in Saudi Arabia announced on Monday.
The authorities said that the crescent has been seen on Monday, indicating that Monday ends the Holy month of Ramadan and that Tuesday will be the beginning of the lunar month of Shawal.
The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen and Jordan have declared that Tuesday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr.
Astronomical calculations indicated that the first day of Eid al-Fitr would be on Wednesday; but the sighting of the crescent on Monday in Saudi Arabia has determined the issue.
The timing of Eid can vary in different countries depending on the sighting of the new moon, which marks the start of the month in Islam's lunar calendar.