Iran announces Eid al-Fitr will begin on Saturday after confirming the end of Ramadan, with Iraq’s Shia leadership aligning on the date.

TEHRAN: Iran has declared that the Eid al-Fitr holiday will begin on Saturday. State television reported the announcement after lunar observations confirmed the end of Ramadan.

The office of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated that Friday would be the 30th day of the holy month. The holiday marks the conclusion of the fasting period for Muslims.

The announcement was echoed in Iraq by the country’s top Shia cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Iraq also has a Shia Muslim majority.

Khamenei was named Iran’s supreme leader this month. He replaces his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated at the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.

The timing of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. This follows the Muslim lunar calendar.

This year, the final day of Ramadan coincides with Nowruz. Nowruz is the Iranian new year celebrated on the spring equinox.

Observing Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide fast from sunrise to sunset.

Believers are required to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours. Observant Muslims are also encouraged to donate to the poor.

 The Sun Malaysia