DUBAI: According to official moon-sighting committees, Muslims in the UAE and Saudi Arabia will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday as Shawal moon was not sighted on Friday evening here.
Earlier it was predicted that Eid Al Fitr would fall on Sunday, August 19.
Astronomers had said the crescent moon marking the beginning of the month of Shawwal would rise on Friday 17th August at 7.54pm.
As the moonrise takes place 65 minutes after the sunset on that day, it will be impossible to see it because it will not be there on the horizon.
The ideal time to watch the crescent moon ranges between 10 to 30 minutes after the sunset on a day.
Thus, they added, the Saturday will be the 30th day that completes the month of Ramadan, and the crescent will be visible on the horizon 17 minutes after the sunset.