Egyptian Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, April 21, 2023. AFP
Eid al-Fitr is a three-day Islamic holiday beginning on the first day after the conclusion of fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.
Despite NRIAG's statement, Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta, the country's primary religious authority responsible for issuing fatwas, makes the final decision on the official start of Eid.
Dar Al-Ifta traditionally determines Ramadan's end by sighting the crescent after sunset on the 29th day of Ramadan.
A month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, which follows the lunar system, can be either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon after sunset on the 29th day.
This means a new month in the Hijri calendar begins when the new moon is visible to the naked eye after sunset on the 29th day of the outgoing month.
Egypt designates all three days of Eid as a paid public holiday for government and private sector workers.
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