Eid Al Fitr to begin on Thursday

Moon-sighting committee confirms start of a new Islamic month

People visit the Ramadan Reflection room at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. The room is filled with hanging lamps and mirrors. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Men attend Friday prayers during the second Friday of Ramadan in Dubai. EPA

Ramadan decoration at The Dubai Mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A Sri Lankan community group distributes 300 meals to workers at the Fakhruddin Camp in Sonapur, Dubai, with the help of Al Watani volunteers and the CDA. Antonie Robertson / The National

Masjid Rawda Al Abrar is seen with the Burj Khalifa in the distance just before sunset in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.

The cannon firing in front of Qasr Al Hosn, in Abu Dhabi, marks the end of day's fasting. Victor Besa/The National

Customers buy delicacies hours before breaking their Ramadan fast in Dubai. Getty Images

An abra driver prepares an Iftar meal, in Dubai. Getty Images

Ramadan decorations at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A minaret stands among the skyscrapers in Barsha Heights, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Flowers outside a mosque in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The crescent moon appears above the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque at Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors look at a display of Ramadan lanterns in the main lobby of Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Ramadan decorations at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Nancy Safy, an artist in Dubai and founder of To Infinity & Beyond, a business known for hand-painted art, gives a demonstration during iftar at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf. Pawan Singh / The National

Men pray at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai during Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty

People visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah on the second day of Ramadan, the month of fasting. AFP

A man prays at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as Muslims across the world observe Ramadan. Getty

A view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, on the first evening of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National

A view of the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The interior of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. AFP

Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as the faithful mark Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty

A worshipper at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Getty Images

Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah is lit up on the second day of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan decorations on City Walk in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Ramadan cannon at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah signals the end of fasting. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Masjid Bani Hashim in Dubai after sunrise on the third day of Ramadan. The mosque was built as a replica of Palestine’s Dome of the Rock. Victor Besa / The National

Eid Al Fitr will begin on Thursday, authorities announced.

The date was confirmed by the Moon-sighting committee that convened remotely after maghrib prayers on Tuesday to identify the end of Ramadan and beginning of Shawwal.

Although activities will be scaled back because of Covid-19, the start of Eid is a time for celebration.

Many residents in the UAE plan to mark the occasion at home with loved ones and share greetings with relatives and friends by telephone and online.

Earlier this month, public holidays for Eid Al Fitr were confirmed for the public and private sector.

On the first day of Eid, Muslims typically wake just before dawn to perform Eid prayers at mosques.

Unlike last year, when mosques were closed to control the spread of the coronavirus, places of worship will be open, although strict safety measures will be in place.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority said Eid prayers would be limited to 15 minutes.

Prayers will be held in approved mosques, which are permitted to open 15 minutes before Eid prayers begin. People aged 60 and over and under the age of 12 must not attend, officials said.

Last week, authorities announced public and private sector workers would enjoy a public holiday from Tuesday.