Rabat – Italy will celebrate Eid Al Fitr on Monday, May 2, according to the European Islamic Congress of Imams.
The congress said in a statement that the crescent has not been sighted in Italy, confirming that the first day of Eid Al Fitr will be on May 2.
Eid Al Fitr is celebrated in Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar and represents a moment of relief and reward for Muslims all over the world who spent the month of Ramadan fasting and in worship.
Italy, like many countries, relies on a number of observatories besides naked-eye sightings to set the lunar calendar.
The official dates of the beginning of the celebration changes depending on the location. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Spain, have also announced Eid Al Fitr to begin on May 2.
Italy is home to 1.6 million Muslims as of 2020, with Moroccan Muslims alone representing more than 450,000 people.
Despite Eid Al Fitr not being a public holiday in Italy, it is still a significant feast for the Muslim community who gathers with friends and family to celebrate.
Muslims begin the celebration with prayers. As the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic has shown notable improvement worldwide, many countries are most likely to allow worshippers to again perform Eid prayers in mosques.
According to Islamic Relief Italia, Zakat Al Fitr value this year in the European country is set at €6 per person.
Zakat Al-Fitr is the charity that Muslims can pay during Ramadan, before Eid al-Fitr prayers at the latest, so that the less fortunate people can enjoy the day of Eid.
