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
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced last week that public employees will enjoy a six-day break, including the weekend, from Tuesday 9 April to Sunday 14 April to celebrate the Muslim feast of Eid Al-Fitr.
Eid Al-Fitr is one of Islam's two main religious holidays, along with Eid Al-Adha, which falls on the 10th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.
Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Fitr to commemorate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The first day of Eid Al-Fitr, marked on the first day of Shawwal, according to the Islamic Hijri calendar, is based on lunar calculations. Months vary between 29 and 30 days, depending on crescent sightings.
Traditionally, a sighting of the crescent with the naked eye after sunset in any place in the country on Monday, the 29th day of Ramadan, would indicate the end of the holy month and the start of Eid the day after.
Egyptians have traditionally performed Eid prayers, which are held after sunrise on the first day of the religious feast, in open spaces due to the large number of worshippers.
The Eid prayers this year will start at 5:59am.
Eid Mubarak, everyone!
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