Eid al-Fitr 2017: First day on June 25 or 26

Eid al-Fitr 2017: First day on June 25 or 26 Saturday will be the 29th day of Ramadan for Saudi Arabia and the countries that started observing the fasting month on May 27. These countries will be on the lookout for the Eid moon that evening. If it is sighted, the first day of Eid al-Fitr will be observed on Sunday, June 25. Otherwise, it will be celebrated on Monday, June 26, in those countries. Astronomers calculated that the new moon birth will be on Saturday, June 24 at 02:31 GMT. The moon crescent visibility, however, depends on the sighting location and on meteorological conditions. On June 24, the moon is set to be visible with the naked eye in Peru, Ecuador, and islands in the Pacific Ocean. It is expected to be visible with optical aids in Latin America, and in parts of the United States and Africa. It may also be visible with optical aids in parts of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Turkey, as well as Muslim communities in Australia, Europe, and North America (ISNA), are set to observe Eid al-Fitr from Sunday, based on the astronomical calculation that the new moon will be born on Saturday, June 24. Bangladesh, India and Pakistan started Ramadan on May 28 and therefore will be on the lookout for the Eid moon on Sunday, June 25. On June 25, the moon is expected to be visible with the naked eye all over the world. READ MORE: What is Eid al-Fitr? At the International Hijri Calendar Unity Congress held in Istanbul last May, members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation voted in favour of adopting a unified lunar calendar. However, local sighting continues to be the default policy in each country. Last year, Eid al-Fitr was celebrated on July 6. Holiday tradition Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for three days and is an official holiday in all Muslim-majority countries. Last year, Saudi Arabia announced holidays from Ramadan 25 until the 7th of Shawal, the lunar month that follows Ramadan. Pakistan announced a three-day holiday from Monday, June 26. The UAE, the public sector will observe a five-day Eid holiday if Eid will be declared on Monday, and a three-day holiday if Eid will be on Sunday. In either case, the holiday will start from Friday, June 23.