Muslims in the UAE to perform Eid prayers at home

Muslims in the UAE are to perform Eid Al Fitr prayers at home instead of mosques this year, officials have announced.

“As per the Emirates Fatwa Council, Eid Al Fitr prayers should be performed at home. Taking all precautionary measures to protect yourself and your family is a religious and national commitment,” said Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, official spokesperson for the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf).

@AwqafUAE: Albeit our keenness to perform the Eid prayer every year together in mosques, we will have to perform this Eid’s prayer in homes with families based on the Fatwa of the Fatwa Council of the #UAE#DedicationAtWorkSafetyAtHome pic.twitter.com/bPD4ZgsObO

— UAE – F o r s a n (@UAE_Forsan) May 20, 2020

The spokesperson added that mosques will continue to remain closed during Eid Al Fitr, but the public will hear the call for Eid prayers to mark the religious festival while staying at home.

Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi: Though we will be staying home, we still can maintain the spirit of the Eid, communicate with our family members and exchange Eid greetings via the virtual communication tools. #UAEGov

— UAEGov (@uaegov) May 20, 2020

Meanwhile, the UAE has set up a moon sighting committee to sight the Shawwal crescent. The committee, chaired by justice minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, will hold a virtual meeting after Maghrib prayers on Friday, May 22.

If the crescent is sighted, Saturday, May 23, will be the first day of the month of Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan.

Read: UAE forms moon-sighting committee to confirm start of Eid