Riyadh, Mar 19 (V7N) — The Eid-ul-Fitr in Saudi Arabia will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, after the moon of the holy month of Shawwal was not sighted on Wednesday. As a result, the month of Ramadan will complete 30 days this year.

Middle East-based media outlets Khaleej Times and Gulf News reported the announcement, citing the Saudi National Moon-Sighting Committee. The committee met on Wednesday evening to sight the Shawwal moon across the country but received no confirmed reports of its visibility. Accordingly, Thursday will be observed as the last day of Ramadan, with Eid celebrated nationwide on Friday.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has declared that the Eid holiday for employees in the private and non-profit sectors began on Wednesday, March 18, and will continue for four consecutive days, in line with Saudi labor law.

Since Eid falls on Friday in Saudi Arabia and much of the Middle East, it is expected that South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, may celebrate Eid on Saturday, depending on the sighting of the moon in their local skies.

END/SMA/AJ