Eid Al Fitr moon sighted in UAE’s Jebel Hafeet – reports

The crescent moon marking the start of the Shawwal month has been sighted in Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, the International Astronomical Centre (IAC) said on Thursday evening.

This means the first day of Eid AL Fitr will be on Friday, June 15.

The crescent was spotted using the technique of astronomical imaging, the IAC said on Twitter, adding that the official announcement will be made by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee after sunset.

صور الهلال كما تم التقاطها قبل قليل من قمة جبل حفيت في مدينة العين باستخدام تقنية التصوير الفلكي، وسيتم الإعلان رسميا عن موعد عيد الفطر من قبل الجهات المختصة بعد غروب الشمس وفق المعايير المعتمدة لإثبات رؤية الهلال. pic.twitter.com/sTZOvRKI0R

— مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) June 14, 2018

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has also called on Muslims to look to the skies on Thursday evening to look for the Shawwal crescent.

If anyone sights the crescent, they are asked to report to the nearest court.

Alternatively, they can report to the authority of the region’s centre in the area where the sighting occurred.

Read more: Saudi calls on Muslims to sight Eid moon this Thursday

The UAE has already announced that public sector workers will be off from Thursday, June 14 until the third day of Shawwal – which is Sunday, June 17. Meanwhile private sector workers have been given leave for the first two days of Eid Al Fitr – meaning they will return to work on Sunday.

Read more: UAE announces Eid holiday for private sector

UAE announces Eid holidays for public sector