Eidul Fitr celebrated in Gulf
The first day of Eidul Fitr was celebrated on Sunday in the Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar Kuwait and Bahrain and other countries, marking the end of the holy month of Ramazan.
Mass gatherings for Eid prayers were held at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid al-Nabawi in Madina, with officials estimating over two million worshippers in attendance, following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon in Saturday evening.
Neighbouring Oman, as well as Indonesia and Brunei, would observe Eid on Monday (today). In the United Kingdom, the Muslim community was split, with some observing the festival on Sunday, while others on Monday.
In the United States and Canada, many mosques followed a pre-determined lunar calendar, holding Eid on Sunday. Others were waiting for confirmed moon sightings before making a final announcement.
The Saudi royal court and UAE's Moon Sighting Committee announced the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon after Maghrib prayers on Saturday, marking the end of Ramazan after 29 days of fasting.
Authorities in Palestine, Sudan, Yemen Lebanon and Turkiye also made similar announcements. Eid greetings poured in from world-wide after the announcements.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended Eid greetings with "a heavy heart," noting that millions of Muslims would mark the occasion under war and displacement.
"I want to express my best wishes for Eidul Fitr to all Muslims around the world," the UN chief said in a video statement he shared on X. "But I do so with a heavy heart, thinking about the many Muslims who won't be able to celebrate Eid with their families due to war, conflict or displacement," he added.
The UN chief emphasised the festival's core values of "solidarity and compassion," expressing hope that these principles might bridge divided communities.
His message came as Palestinians in Gaza, Kashmiris under Indian occupation, Rohingya refugees, people in Sudan, and other conflict-hit Muslim populations face particularly sombre celebrations amid ongoing violence and humanitarian crises.
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