ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Regional Government announced the Eid al-Fitr holidays will begin locally on Thursday and end on Monday (June 18).
"On the occasion of holy Ramadan Eid, we warmly congratulate the Muslims of Kurdistan and the world, and hope this feast will bring joy and stability to Kurdistan Region and strengthen the unity of our nation," stated KRG spokesperson Safeen Dizayee Dizayee on Sunday, using another name for Eid al-Fitr.
Ramadan ends when a crescent moon is locally spotted. It is expected for that to be Thursday night (June 14) in the Middle East. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments requests that anyone who spots the crescent moon to inform the office of ministry of religious affairs in their district.
Eid marks end of Islamic calendar Ramadan month where observers resume eating on daylight after fasting during daylight for a month.
Eid al-Fitr, which lasts three days, differs from one tradition to another. Normally, people visit each other’s homes with the host providing sweets and nuts to guests.
The Kurdistan Region, while diverse, is predominately Sunni Muslim.
Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims because it was during this month that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammad. Fasting is one of the five main religious obligations under Islam.
A Shiite religious authority on Islamic law ruled that Friday is the first day of Eid.
“Precise astronomical data indicates that the crescent of the month of Shawwal of the Hijri year of 1439 can be seen with aided eyes starting from the Australian continent and southeastern Asia, and with naked eye can be seen starting from the Arabian peninsula and the African continent on Thursday evening,” read a statement from Shiite Marja Kamal al-Haider.
According to the international astronomical center in Abu Dhabi, Friday will be the first day of Eid in most of the countries around the world.
Shiites and Sunnis often have different dates for Eid, as Shiites usually start later, and have their Eid later than the Sunnis. Lately they have had on the same day, arousing hopes of Muslim unity in the face of sectarianism.
Relevant: Restaurants, shops hope Eid and tourists boost lackluster Ramadan sales
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