Marking the end of the month of Ramadan for Muslims, Eid Al Fitr is a celebration that begins when the new crescent Moon is visible.
It is accompanied by a paid holiday for public and private sector workers in the UAE.
Emirates Astronomical Society previously forecasted April 10 as the date when Eid Al Fitr will start this year, which was confirmed by the UAE's moon-sighting committee on Tuesday.
“The Shawwal crescent Moon will coincide with the total solar eclipse occurring on April 8 at 10.22pm in the UAE,” Ibrahim Al Jarwan, the society's chairman, told The National.
He said the crescent would not be visible until April 9 – the 30th day of Ramadan – meaning Eid Al Fitr would begin on April 10.
Is Eid Al Fitr's date confirmed?
Like Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr’s start date was confirmed by the UAE’s Moon-sighting committee on Tuesday evening.
It is made up of astronomers, court officials and advisers from the Emirates' Islamic authority.
They look for the new crescent Moon, which means that Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, can begin.
Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Moon-sighting Committee, said on Tuesday that after exhausting the sharia methods of sighting the moon, the Shawwal month crescent moon was not visible, meaning Tuesday would be the last day of Ramadan and Wednesday would be the first day of Eid Al Fitr.
In Saudi Arabia, Eid Al Fitr holidays for the public and private sector were already confirmed.
The Kingdom's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said employees across the country would get four working days off from April 8 before returning to work on April 14.
What is Eid Al Fitr?
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan.
It is a celebratory occasion marked by morning prayers, family get-togethers, the giving of gifts, as well as charitable donations.
A public holiday accompanies Eid Al Fitr, with many people taking time off work to travel abroad or take short trips in the region.
How long is the Eid Al Fitr public holiday?
According to the Islamic calendar, the holiday will run from Ramadan 29 to Shawwal 3.
Ramadan 29 corresponds with April 8 on the Gregorian calendar, meaning this is set to be the first day of the public holiday.
As the holy month extended to 30 days this year, holidays for the public and private sector will both run from April 8 to April 12.
