Saudi astronomers calculate Eid Al Fitr to begin on Sunday

Majmaah University astronomers forecast that the crescent moon sighting may not be possible on Friday

Ramadan lights on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The sun sets behind Al Rustmani Mosque in Jebel Ali on the day before Ramadan, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan lights in the Greens Community in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

The sun rises over Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque on the first morning of Ramadan. Mosques remain closed due to Covid-19, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decorations on the Corniche. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An evening with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decorations on Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid street in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National

Pre-Ramadan at the Public Slaughter House in Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National

The installed Ramadan lights on the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National

First day of Ramadan. A canon is fired to mark the beginning of iftar at the Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A Moreish Sweets saleswoman with some Ramadan sweets at the Al Raha Mall reopening during the Covid-19 pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

People line up in Bur Dubai to receive an iftar package from volunteers of the Kerala NGO Markaz. Reem Mohammed/The National:

The Imam of Port Saeed Masjid in Al Muraqqabat calls the Maghreb prayer. Reem Mohammed/The National

Workers queue for free iftar meals at Dubai Investment Park. Reem Mohammed / The National

Volunteers at the iftar distribution in Dubai Investment Park, inside a small mosque, pick up their iftars. Reem Mohammed/The National

Ramadan decor inside the Al Fateh Plaza shop at the Dhow Harbor and Al Mina Souk. Victor Besa / The National

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque without Ramadan visitors during the Coronavirus pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

Astronomers in Saudi Arabia have forecast that the new crescent moon will not be sighted on Friday, meaning Eid Al Fitr will fall on Sunday, May 24.

Stargazers at the observatory of Majmaah University near Riyadh said calculations revealed the moon will set before the sun on Friday evening.

Scientific calculations published on the astronomical observatory website showed that sun will set at 6:39pm and moon will set at 6:26pm.

On Saturday, Ramadan 30, the sun will set at 6:40pm with the crescent moon setting at 7:23pm and staying on for 43 minutes after sunset.

As a result Eid will fall on Sunday bringing an end to 30 days of fasting the astronomers said.

In the UAE, the first day of Eid Al Fitr will be announced on Friday night, after the moon-sighting committee meets remotely to search for a new crescent moon after maghrib prayers.