Friday, Aug 17, 2012
(Updates with other Arab states celebrating Sunday.)
By Summer Said
DUBAI--Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, will celebrate the Muslim Eid al-Fitr feast Sunday to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, along with most other Arab states.
Religious councils in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman said the moon's crescent was not sighted after nightfall Friday. Saturday will be the last day of Ramadan, and Sunday will be the start of the eid.
Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen and the Palestinian territories also said the eid celebration will be observed Sunday.
Other countries have yet to announce when they will start the eid. They are expected to follow the Saudi lead.
Muslims scan the sky at night in search of the new moon to proclaim the start of the month in Islam's lunar calendar.
Regional stock markets are closed during the holiday.
Write to Summer Said at summer.said@dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
17-08-12 1858GMT
