Shia Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday

Lucknow, Sept 20 (ANI): A senior official of Shia Muslim community has said that Eid-ul-Fitr would be celebrated on Monday.

Kalbe Sadiq, Shia cleric and senior vice president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said here that the Ramadan moon would be sighted on Sunday.

"I can say without any doubt that in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and in India, the moon will be sighted on Sunday. Sunni, Shia and all other sects of Islam will celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday," Sadiq said.

However, Sunni Muslims disagreed, saying they would wait for the sighting of moon before declaring Eid.

"If the moon is sighted on September 20, or if the sighting in reported form anywhere, then Eid will be celebrated on the 21st. And if it is not sighted on the 20th and there are no reports either, in that case it will be celebrated on the 22nd," said Maulana Khalid Rasheed, head of Lucknow's Firangi Mahal.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims observe a daylong fast and open it in the evening.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims throughout the world observe a joyous three-day celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr.

Eid-ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month, which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy. (ANI)