A member of Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting committee at work. Reuters
A member of Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting committee at work. Reuters
A member of Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting committee at work. Reuters
A member of Saudi Arabia's moon-sighting committee at work. Reuters

Eid Al Fitr 2023 may fall on Saturday, says Saudi's International Astronomy Centre


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Saudi Arabia's International Astronomy Centre on Sunday predicted that Eid Al Fitr should fall on Saturday, April 22 ― a day later than previously expected.

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has urged people throughout the kingdom to report sightings of the crescent from Thursday.

Following that announcement, the centre posted on its Twitter account that it is “a scientific centre that provides astronomical information”, not an entity that publishes official announcements.

It said that multiple moon-sighting criteria are adopted for determining the beginning of the month.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced on Monday that public holidays for Eid Al Fitr would officially begin on Friday, April 21, which is already a weekend.

They said that private and non-profit sectors would have four days of holiday on top of the weekend after the end of work on Thursday. Work is expected to resume on Thursday, April 29, while schools reopen on 30 April.

Muslims traditionally go to the mosque to perform early morning Eid prayers but those who wish to stay on after can perform the Friday prayer then, the ministry said.

In the UAE, there is a public holiday set for Thursday, April 20.

The UAE’s moon sighting committee will announce the exact starting date for Eid.

If the duration of Ramadan is decided at 30 days, workers will return to work on Tuesday, April 25, while if it is 29 days, the Eid holiday will last just four days, with workplaces reopening on Monday.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit

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Saudi Arabia

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  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Updated: April 18, 2023, 5:08 AM