banks operations suspended for Eid Al-Fitr. Photo: AFP
The CBE also revealed that banking services will resume on Wednesday, 2 April.
Moreover, the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) confirmed the suspension of its operations during the same period.
Meanwhile, a CBE statement said if the official moon sighting confirms Monday, 31 March is the first day of Eid, the banks' holiday will be extended through Wednesday, 2 April. Consequently, work will resume on Thursday, 3 April.
Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day festival in the Islamic calendar, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The sighting of the Shawwal crescent (Shawwal is the month that follows Ramadan) determines the start of Eid. The crescent is typically observed after sunset on the 29th day of fasting.
Astronomical calculations suggest that Eid Al-Fitr will begin on Sunday, 30 March in Egypt and other Arab countries.
However, Dar Al-Ifta, the country’s primary religious authority responsible for issuing fatwas (legal rulings on a point of Islamic law), will decide on the official start of Eid in Egypt based on the moon sighting confirmed after Saturday's Maghrib prayers.
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