Saudi Arabia officially announces Eid al-Fitr start date

Eid al-Fitr will begin on Monday May 2 as the Shawwal moon was not sighted on Saturday, according to the Haramain Sharifain Twitter account.

Sunday May 1 will thus mark the 30th day of the holy month of Ramadan, the Haramain Sharifain added.

Eid al-Fitr celebrations follow the end of Ramadan which lasts 29 or 30 days based on when the crescent moon is sighted.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days.