DUBAI // A moon-sighting committee has been formed to determine the start of Eid Al Fitr.
The committee — formed and chaired by Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice — will meet after Maghrib prayers on Saturday at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department to witness the first sighting of the crescent Moon.
If the new crescent Moon of Shawwal is seen, the end of Ramadan will be confirmed and Eid Al Fitr will begin the following day.
All Sharia courts across the country have been called upon to look out for the crescent Moon and inform the committee.
If a new crescent Moon cannot be sighted on Saturday, the committee will meet again on Sunday.
The Muslim calendar is determined by Moon phases making each month last either 29 or 30 days. Islamic years span on average between 354 and 355 days.
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