The Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) has asked Muslims in Qatar to look for the new moon on Thursday evening, the 29th night of Ramadan.

If the crescent is spotted, Eid al-Fitr will begin on Friday, July 17 (the first day of the Islamic month of Shawal).

If no moon is observed, Friday will be the last fasting day, and Eid will begin on Saturday, July 18.

QNA reports Awqaf as saying that anyone who spots the crescent should head to the ministry headquarters in Dafna to report his/her testimony on Thursday.

The committee will meet immediately after sunset prayer that day and usually announces the official start date of Eid by around 8pm.

Regardless of which day it starts, most government employees will be off from tomorrow (Wednesday), July 15 and resume work on Sunday, July 26.

And according to the Gulf Times, Qatar’s banks and financial institutions will be closed from Sunday, July 19 to Wednesday, July 22, resuming operations on Thursday, July 23.

Thoughts?