ABU DHABI // A moon-sighting committee will be set up to confirm the start of the month of Shawwal, which will mark the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid Al Fitr.
Sultan Al Badi, the Minister of Justice, issued the decision to set up the committee on Friday.
Chaired by the Minister, the committee will convene after Maghrib prayers on Monday at the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.
Mr Al Badi called on all Sharia courts across the country to look out for the crescent moon and inform the committee.
Dr Ibrahim Al Jarwan, assistant director of Sharjah Centre for Astronomy and Space Sciences, had earlier predicted July 5 as the final day of Ramadan, which would make Wednesday, July 6, the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
Earlier this week it was announced that public-sector workers will be given a seven-day holiday, starting Sunday.
At a meeting of the UAE Cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, it was announced that state entities will be closed from Sunday, July 3, with work resuming on Sunday, July 10.
Workers in the private sector will get the first and second days of the month of Shawwal as holidays to mark Eid Al Fitr. The first and second days of Shawwal are expected to fall on July 6 and 7, depending on the moon sighting.
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