Eid-ul-Fitr 2017 to be celebrated in India on Monday: Moon sighted in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh

Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the country on Monday, Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari said on Sunday."Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow as the Eid moon was sighted in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh today," Bukhari added.Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, President of the Markazi Chand Committee also confirmed the celebration date.The festival marks the culmination of fasting and Ramadan. The holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed as a fasting period by Muslims who abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset. This month was established as a holy month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammed in 610 AD.Large congregations of Eid prayers will be held across India on Monday.Muslims in Saudi Arabia, UAE and some other parts of the world celebrated Eid on Sunday. The timing of Eid can vary in different countries depending on the sighting of the new moon, which marks the start of the month in Islam's lunar calendar.Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to all and said inspiration should be drawn from such pious festivals to spread happiness and to take the nation forwardPresident Pranab Mukherjee also greeted the country on the eve of Eid as he expressed hope that the festival will strengthen the people's "unflinching" faith in unity and common destiny. Many leaders across the nation also acknowledged the festivities.The Ramadan observation of the world's 1.5 billion Muslims was blighted by conflict and bloodshed in countries ranging from Afghanistan, Philipines, Libya and Pakistan. The dawn of Eid hopes to soothe the solemn mood around the world.