Kozhikode: Kerala will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, March 20, marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan. Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal officially confirmed the date after the Shawwal crescent moon was sighted at Chettippadi in Parappanangadi, Malappuram district.

As the moon sighting signals the end of a month of fasting, mosques across the state will begin resonating with the Takbeer (praises to God). Before the commencement of the special Eid prayers on Friday morning, believers will complete the distribution of Fitr Zakat (charity for the poor). Clad in new attire, the faithful will gather at various Eidgahs and mosques for the congregational prayers.

Eid-ul-Fitr serves as a relevant occasion for renewing family and social bonds and sharing messages of love and harmony.
The spirit of the festival

As the month of spiritual reflection and discipline concludes, believers are now preparing for the special Eid-gah (congregational prayers) held in mosques and open grounds early Friday morning. This year, the festival is also marked by a call from leaders to remember those suffering in global conflicts, particularly in Gaza, urging the community to celebrate with prayers and a spirit of solidarity.

With the sighting in Kerala aligning with most Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the state joins a global celebration of peace, charity and togetherness.