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New Delhi: The crescent moon was sighted across India on Sunday, and hence Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in the country on March 31.
The holy month of Ramadan, which began on March 2, concluded on March 30.
PTI quoted Fatehpuri Masjid Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmad as saying that the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of the mosque contacted many places and was informed that the moon was sighted in all major cities including New Delhi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Noida, Kolkata, Chennai, Patna and Mumbai, among others.
“The moon has been sighted today, i.e. on March 30 and Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on March 31. Namaz will be offered at 10 am in Lucknow Eidgah,” said Lucknow Eidgah Imam, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali.
The sighting was also confirmed by Khalid Rashid Farangi, chairman of the Central Moon Sighting Committee.
Eid was celebrated on Sunday itself in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East, including the UAE, after the crescent moon was sighted late on Saturday.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic lunar calendar. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the world as the festival signifies the breaking of the fast and a time for charity, prayer and community celebrations after a month of fasting during Ramadan.