Goa to celebrate Id-ul-Fitr on Sat

VALPOI, SEPT 9
Around two lakh Muslims all over the State are set to celebrate Id-ul-Fitr on September 11, following the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan on Friday.
During the Id-ul-Fitr celebrations, Muslims will offer special prayers (Id Namaz) at Idgahs all over the State at about 9.30 am.
PTI adds: Id-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in the National Capital Region and West Bengal on Saturday while Keralites will celebrate the festival on Friday.
After a meeting of Royat Hilal Committee Thursday evening, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Fatehpuri Masjid, Mufti Mohd Mukkaram Ahmed, said, “The moon of Shawwal was not sighted today. Id-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday.”
Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bhukari said the moon was not sighted and “therefore I announce that the first of Shawwalfalls on Saturday”.
Muslims in Kerala will celebrate Id on Friday with imams declaring sighting of the new moon marking the end of the fasting month of Ramzan this evening.
Id celebrations culminate fasting by devotees for a month during Ramzan, ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
The faithful wake up early morning for the pre-dawn ‘sehri’ meal renouncing food and water during the day before breaking their fast in the evening. The evening meal is known as ‘iftaar’.
As Islam follows a lunar calendar, the holy month begins every year about 11 days earlier and its commencement is traditionally determined by the appearance of the new moon.