Saudi Arabia, UAE celebrate Eid al-Fitr as leaders exchange greetings

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and several other Gulf nations are celebrating Eid al-Fitr today, marking the end of Ramadan after the crescent moon was sighted on Saturday evening.

Eid al-Fitr, observed on the first day of Shawwal, follows the Islamic lunar calendar, where months last either 29 or 30 days depending on moon sightings. This year, Ramadan concludes in 29 days.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE had called on Muslims to look for the crescent moon on the 29th of Ramadan, and once confirmed, the Eid holiday was declared for Sunday.

Eid celebrations across the region

Large congregational prayers were held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque in Medina. Worshippers also gathered for Eid prayers in mosques and open grounds across the Gulf.

Qatar, Yemen, Kuwait, Turkey, and Afghanistan are also celebrating Eid on Sunday. However, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, India, and Bangladesh will mark Eid on Monday. In Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Australia, the crescent moon was not sighted, confirming Eid al-Fitr will be observed on March 31.

Gulf leaders exchange Eid greetings

According to WAM, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE exchanged Eid greetings in phone calls with several regional leaders, including:

• Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman
• Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia
• King Mohammed VI of Morocco
• Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
• Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The leaders conveyed their prayers and best wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity, emphasizing the need for continued stability and peace across the Islamic world and beyond.

Eid holiday benefits in the UAE

As part of the Eid holiday, the UAE has announced free public parking in several emirates:

• Dubai: Free parking from Shawwal 1 to 3, except for multi-level parking terminals. Paid parking resumes on Shawwal 4.
• Sharjah: Free parking except for select seven-day paid parking zones.
• Ajman: Free public parking from Shawwal 1 to 3.

Eid festivities in the UAE also include fireworks, cultural events, and extended shopping hours in malls and entertainment venues.