Eid-ul-Fitr 2018: India to celebrate Eid on June 16

New Delhi: The auspicious festival of Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-Al-Fitr is widely celebrated by Muslims around the globe. The festival marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated by breaking the 30-day long fast with a grand celebration. Eid-ul-Fitr is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The celebrations of the festival depend purely upon the sighting of the moon.

There is often much confusion owing to the celebrations as the moon sighting timings are different in each country. For India, the confusion has finally come to an end. News agency ANI took to Twitter and shared that the moon has not been sighted in any part of India on Thursday (June 14). Thus, the nation will celebrate Eid on June 16, 2018. The Tweet said- “Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid announced that Eid will be celebrated on June 16 (Saturday), as there was no sight of moon anywhere across the country today.”

Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid announced that Eid will be celebrated on June 16 (Saturday), as there was no sight of moon anywhere across the country today. — ANI (@ANI) June 14, 2018

Ramzan or Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and holds a great significance for the Muslim community across the globe. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims observe fasts for 30 days marking it as a gesture to revere the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief.

According to many beliefs, this annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts for about 29–30 days (usually a month) based on the visual sighting of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.

Ramadan word has Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramaḍ, which means scorching heat or dryness. It is believed that the holy book of Quran was written during this month. Thus, the people practise fasting in this month to purify their souls and seek forgiveness from the Almighty Allah.

Here's wishing our readers 'Eid Mubarak!'