Saudi Arabian observatories were unable to sight the Shawwal crescent moon this evening, according to news reports.

This means Tuesday, April 9th, will mark the end of Ramadan (completing 30 days), and Eid al-Fitr celebrations will be held on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024.

Eid al-Fitr, known as the “festival of breaking the fast,” signifies the conclusion of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting observed by Muslims worldwide. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk.

As Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, its date varies based on the sighting of the new moon. This can lead to different regions celebrating on slightly different days.

While the official announcement is still pending, astronomer Abdullah Al-Khudairi indicated the new moon might be obscured by clouds in some areas. He specifically mentioned potential difficulties in sighting the crescent in the central regions, Sudair, and Tumair, due to heavy cloud cover.

This news suggests that Eid al-Fitr will likely be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10th, in Saudi Arabia and potentially other countries that follow their moon sighting.