Eid al-Fitr on May 13

Our Correspondent

The first day of Eid al-Fitr will be on May 13, according to the UAE Moon Sighting Committee, as the Shawwal crescent was not sighted in the UAE on May 11. May 12 will be the last day of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent cables of congratulations to the kings, Emirs and presidents of Arab and Islamic states on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also dispatched similar cables.

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (IACAD) said prayer halls will open 15 minutes before Eid Al Fitr prayers and close immediately after prayers are completed. The Eid prayers, including the sermon, will be held for 15 minutes. Women’s prayer halls will remain closed until further notice. These regulations are aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

IACAD urged worshippers not to crowd at entry and exit points of mosques and avoid gathering before and after Eid prayers. Eid prayers will begin at 5:52 am.

The preventive guidelines issued earlier for Taraweeh prayers – wearing of face masks, maintaining physical distancing and avoiding physical greetings like handshakes – will continue to be enforced to ensure public safety.

The public can find the names of the Musallah Al Eid prayer halls by visiting the department’s website www.iacad.gov.ae or the department’s social media platforms.

In Sharjah, the Department of Islamic Affairs (DIA) has allocated 471 mosques and musallas for Eid al Fitr prayers, 340 in the city of Sharjah and Al Hamriyah, 57 in the Central Region, and 74 in the Eastern Region.

The department also assigned a number of mosques and musallas to non-Arabic speakers such as Urdu, Malay, Tamil, and English.

The department stressed the need for worshipers to adhere to the precautionary measures and to bring their own prayer mats; closure of women’s prayer areas and other service facilities will continue in the emirate’s mosques.

Eid prayers are to be performed at 05:51 am in the city of Sharjah and Al Hamriyah area. Slight timing differences are to be observed in other areas of the emirate.