UAE moon-sighting committee urges Muslims to watch for Shawwal crescent on Monday

The moon-sighting committee in the United Arab Emirates has urged Muslims in the country to look for the crescent moon of the month of Shawwal 1445 AH on the evening of Monday, the 29th of Ramadan 1445 AH, corresponding to April 8, 2024.

In an unrelated development, the Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will launch a series of Eid Al Fitr initiatives, in partnership with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the Rashid Centre for People of Determination, the Al Etihad Charity Foundation, and Keolis MHI, the operator of Dubai Metro and Tram, as well as Roxy Cinema.

The authority’s initiatives will celebrate Eid Al Fitr by bringing happiness and joy to orphans, people of determination, and students, by providing Eid clothing, organising recreational outings, and distributing Eidiya, cash gifts for children.

This year, the RTA’s Eid initiatives will focus on strengthening community cohesion and spreading the culture of solidarity to orphans and people of determination. One way to do this is to share the festive joy of Eid through the distribution of traditional Eid attire, most notably the Kandora (men’s gowns) and the Makhaweer (women’s gowns), which highlight the Emirati identity and the authenticity of the national costume.

Under this initiative, which is being rolled out in partnership with the ERC, the Al Etihad Charity Foundation, and Dar Al Hay Gents Tailoring, Emirati traditional Kandoras will be distributed to males.

In a gesture that underscores the values of generosity and kindness, a distinctive initiative has also been launched for girls associated with the Rashid Centre for People of Determination, which will involve gifting them Makhaweers donated by Salama Tailoring, to spread happiness through Eid greetings.

Eid gifts will also include the distribution of Eidiya to students from charitable schools, to enable them to meet their personal needs and engage in Eid celebrations.

WAM