New Delhi, March 20: Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across India on Saturday, March 21, following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon on Friday evening. The Markazi Ruet-e-Hilal Committees in several major cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, affirmed the sighting of the moon, marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramzan.
In Delhi, the Naib Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Shaban Bukhari, declared that since the crescent was visible this evening, the 30-day period of fasting has concluded. He affirmed that Saturday would be the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. Similar announcements were made by the Markazi Chand Committee in Lucknow, where Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali stated that the moon was sighted across various parts of the country, confirming the festival for March 21.
The announcement triggered immediate “Chand Raat” celebrations, with markets across the country witnessing a massive rush. In cities like Hyderabad and Jaipur, the streets were lit up as families thronged shops for last-minute purchases of clothes, sweets, and gifts. Religious scholars asserted that this year’s Ramzan spanned a full 30 days, a significant spiritual journey for the community that culminates in the “festival of breaking the fast.”
Special arrangements have been made for the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on Saturday morning at major mosques and Eidgahs. Local administrations maintained that security and traffic measures are in place to ensure peaceful congregations. Leaders declared the festival a symbol of brotherhood and peace, urging citizens to celebrate with a spirit of harmony and compassion.
