Eid Al Fitr to begin on Thursday in the UAE

The UAE has announced that the first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on Thursday, May 13, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The announcement was made by the UAE’s moon-sighting committee on Tuesday after it held a virtual meeting following Maghreb prayers.

The Shawwal crescent was not sighted in the UAE on Tuesday and therefore, Wednesday, May 12, will be the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, the committee said.

The UAE has already announced Eid holidays from Tuesday until Shawwal 3 (which now falls on Saturday), for public and private sector workers in the country.

Read: Free parking in Dubai, Abu Dhabi during Eid holidays

This year, officials in the UAE have also warned against gatherings to celebrate Eid to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Abu Dhabi Police took to social media on Tuesday to note that all gatherings and parties in the emirate are banned and that hosts of any such gatherings will be fined Dhs10,000, whereas each guest will also be fined Dhs5,000.

The Dubai Police too issued rules against gatherings of more than five people in the emirate. The host of gatherings that violate this directive will reportedly be fined Dhs50,000, while each guest attending it will also be fined Dhs15,000.

Read: UAE: Fines announced for gatherings during Eid Al Fitr 2021