Eid al Fitr announced in most countries

GCC news agencies have reported that Eid al Fitr is to fall on 25 June with the exception of Oman, reflecting reports that the new moon has been cited in various countries. The sighting of the moon represents the end of Ramadhan and the start of a new month, Shawwal, as well as the beginning of Eid al Fitr.

The Saudi Press Agency said that adult witnesses had confirmed seeing the new moon of Shawwal after sunset on the evening of 24 June, so the Supreme Court in KSA has ruled that 25 June is Eid al Fitr of the year 1438.

The Bahrain News Agency has similarly reported that the moon-sighting committee in Bahrain has announced that the first day of Eid al Fitr will be 25 June. All ministries and public institutions in Bahrain will be closed for three days in conjunction with the holiday. 

WAM, the Emirates News Agency, reported that the moon-sighting committee in the UAE has ruled on 25 June being 1 Shawwal and the first day of Eid al Fitr.

The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) said the Crescent Sight-Seeing Authority in Kuwait has formally announced that Eid al Fitr will begin on 25 June. KUNA separately reported that Qatar, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria will also celebrate Eid al Fitr on 25 June.

On 21 June the Oman News Agency had already reported on astronomical calculations conducted by the Department of Astronomical Affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs on the visibility of the moon of the month of Shawwal on the evening of 29 Ramadan 1438, or 24 June 2017 in Muscat, and concluded that it would be "very difficult" and "almost impossible" to view the new moon at that time.

"As the moon will be in the conjunction phase in Muscat at 6:31 am and the moon will descend at 7:15 pm. The sun sets at 6:57 pm. This means that the moon will descend after sunset by about 18 minutes and the height of the moon will be three degrees," the agency cited the Department of Astronomical Affairs as saying at the time. 

After the moon was not sighted on the evening of 24 June, media in Oman reported that 25 June will be the last day of Ramadhan and the first day of Eid will fall on 26 June.