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All eyes of the world are on Saudi Arabia for the announcement of Eid. When Eid will be celebrated depends on the moon. Generally, Eid is celebrated in India the next day after the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia. In Saudi, Eid has been announced through cannon. There has been a tradition of celebrating Eid in India only after Saudi. Now the question is that in how many countries Eid is celebrated before India and why does Saudi celebrate Eid before India.

Before India, the tradition of celebrating Eid has been in those countries which are generally in the West. The most special among these is Saudi Arabia, which is considered the stronghold of Islam. Here the official announcement of Eid is made after the sighting of the moon.

How many countries celebrate Eid before India?

Apart from Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries like United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain celebrate Eid before India. Apart from this, some other Muslim countries like Türkiye and Egypt also celebrate Eid along with the Gulf countries. If seen this way, about 5 to 10 countries celebrate Eid before India.

Eid is celebrated in Saudi Arabia before India.

From Saudi to Kuwait, why Eid first?

The reason for celebrating Eid first in Gulf countries is the process of sighting of the moon. The moon is visible at different times in different parts of the earth. Since the Gulf countries are in the west, sunset there happens earlier than India and there is an earlier possibility of seeing the moon. This is the reason why Eid is announced here first.

Chand Committee announces Eid in India. Photo: PTI

The announcement of Eid in India is decided by moon sighting committees. Prominent Ulemas and Shahi Imams are there in these committees. Like the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid of Delhi or the Markji Chand Committee of Lucknow make announcements regarding this. After sunset, the committees confirm the sighting of the moon and the date of Eid is announced.

This is the reason why in South Asian countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Eid is often celebrated a day after the Gulf countries.

Eid decorations in Doha, Qatar. Photo: PTI

In the present era, astronomical calculations can also accurately predict the appearance of the moon, yet in Islamic tradition, priority is given to seeing the actual moon. This tradition gives a spiritual and cultural depth to Eid.

In this way, it is clear that there is no religious difference between India and Gulf countries regarding the tradition of celebrating Eid, rather it is the result of geographical reasons. This approach also reflects the global culture of Eid, where the same festival is celebrated at different times, but its spirit and significance remain the same everywhere.

cannon announcement process

In Saudi Arabia, the tradition of announcing Eid has also been done through cannon. This tradition is 200 years old. Many historians believe that this tradition came from Egypt. However, at present this tradition is prevalent in many Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates.