SHAFAQNA – The Office of Grand Ayatullah Sistani in Najaf al-Ashraf has issued a statement regarding the beginning of the month of Shawwal:
In the name of of Allah the Merciful
The office of His Eminence, Mr. Sistani in Najaf, announces to dear believers that moon-sighting for the month of Shawwal after the sunset of today, the Thursday (29 Ramadan) has been finished, and despite the large number of crescent-seekers, the observation of the new moon with naked eye was not proved in Iraq and the surrounding areas on this night.
Since the fatwa of His Eminence rules that the beginning of the [lunar] month in each region follows the possibility of observing the crescent with the naked eye in the same region, and it does not make a difference whether the moon could be seen in other areas or not, Friday will be complementary to the holy month of Ramadan and Saturday will be the day of Eid al Fitr.
We ask Allah to accept from everyone their righteous deeds and to bless them in their Eid and to reward all Muslims on this wonderful occasion with benevolence, blessing, and benediction.
Office of Mr. Sistani
Najaf al-Ashraf
Source: Sistani.org
Translation: SHAFAQNA