UAE forms moon-sighting committee to confirm start of Eid

The UAE has set up a moon sighting committee to sight the Shawwal crescent marking the start of Eid Al Fitr, official news agency WAM announced on Wednesday.

The committee, chaired by justice minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, will hold a virtual meeting after the Maghrib prayers on Friday, May 22, Ramadan 29.

All the Sharia courts in the country have been asked to spot the moon and report their findings to the committee.

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

The UAE has already announced that public and private sector workers in the country will be off for five days to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, starting from Ramadan 29 until Shawwal 3.

Read: Revealed: UAE private sector holidays for Eid Al Fitr 2020

Officials this year have also urged UAE residents to avoid gathering during Eid and maintain social distancing as part of precautionary measures against the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Read: Covid-19: UAE reports 832 new cases, changes disinfection drive hours and revises fines