ABU DHABI // Eid Al Fitr will begin on Friday, the UAE has officially announced.
The moon-sighting committee, tasked with detecting the Shawwal month crescent, made the announcement after the sighting and taking into account contacts with neighbouring countries, said Sultan Al Badi Al Dhaheri, Minister of Justice and committee chairman, after a meeting on Thursday evening at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
The UAE’s senior leadership have sent and received Eid Al Fitr greetings from heads of state from around the world, according to the state news agency, Wam.
Sheikh Khalifa, the President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, have sent congratulatory cables to their counterparts in other Arab and Islamic countries.
The country’s leaders have received Eid greetings from world leaders including US president Barack Obama and British prime minister David Cameron.
Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, and Head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, also sent cables to the wives of heads of state of Arab and Islamic countries.
The moon-sighting committee in turn congratulated Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Rulers of the Emirates and Crown Princes, on the occasion, as well as extended their greetings to the people of the UAE and Muslims worldwide, according to Wam.
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