Today is the first day of Eid Al Fitr in Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan.

The moon-sighting panel which convened last night at Bahrain’s Supreme Islamic Affairs Council headquarters said it based its announcement on the statement of the Saudi High Court, which confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon.

No testimonies were received in Bahrain, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The council extended greetings to His Majesty King Hamad, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, the Royal family, the people of Bahrain and the Islamic world.

Meanwhile, Eid celebrations in Saudi Arabia are generally characterised by joy, social solidarity and tolerance, and they are occasions for family reunions where people renew bonds with family and friends.

Saudi citizens working far from relatives in other cities or other Gulf countries are looking forward to returning to their homes to spend the Eid holiday with their families and friends, said an Arab News report.

Fatimah Al-Balawi, a researcher who deals with popular heritage, said: “There is a great difference between Eid celebrations in villages, small towns and cities. Villages are still distinguished by a simple life, and residents there maintain the customs and traditions away from the monotony and boredom of life in the cities.”

The celebrations in the villages are marked by people wearing traditional clothing and cooking traditional meals, in addition to organising folk events and camel racing and other displays, said Al-Balawi.

On the keenness to spend Eid in one’s hometown, Sahar Rajab, a psychologist and family consultant, said: “This is a healthy phenomenon stressing the presence of a strong connection with hometown, family and friends. This has a great positive psychological impact on the individual’s mental health.”

In Oman, however, the Main Crescent Sighting Committee said Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday (July 18).

The committee led by Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Al Salmy and Grand Mufti Shaikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalili said the crescent was not sighted anywhere in the Sultanate on Thursday, reported an Oman Daily Observer report.

Friday will be the last day of holy month of Ramadhan. Saturday will be the first day of Shawwal, it said.