RIYADH: Muslims in Saudi Arabia, UAE and several other Arab countries are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today (Thursday), Zee Info News reported.
Saudi Arabia’s High Judiciary Council announced Wednesday that Shawwal moon was sighted in the Kingdom and the Eid will be celebrated across the country on Thursday.
Kuwait, Jordan and Palestine are also celebrating Eid on Thursday.
But Oman announced that Shawwal moon has not been sighted and Eid-ul-Fitr will be marked on Friday.
Millions of Muslims across Asia also began celebrating the end of the fasting month of Ramazan on today.
In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, throngs of believers made their way to mosques donning brand new clothes to kick off the start of Eid al-Fitr, festivities that culminate after a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting.
Some countries remained on heightened alert amid fears over potential violence in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
Concerns also lingered in parts of the Middle East and Africa after Washington temporarily closed 19 diplomatic posts over terrorism worries while US and British embassy employees were evacuated from Yemen where the government announced it had foiled an al-Qaeda plot.
In Pakistan’s North Waziristan, Mohmand Agency, parts of Khyber Agency, Bannu and Shabqadar districts, the local ulema and elders announced that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated today.
Afghan refugees, residing in camps and in cities in the province, are also celebrating Eid today. Traditionally, Afghan refugees celebrate Eid along with their brethren in Afghanistan and also in accordance with moon-sighting in Saudi Arabia.
Western countries and Japan are celebrating Eid today.
