Qabbani Announces Thursday First Day of Eid al-Fitr, Qabalan Says Eid Begins Friday

Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani has announced that Thursday August 8, is the first day of Eid al-Fitr, as Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, deputy head of the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, said Eid begins on Friday.

"We congratulate all Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr and we ask God to accept their fast and prayers,” Qabbani said in a released statement on Wednesday evening.

"May this holiday restore peace and stability in the country, and help Lebanon overcome its aggravating crises.”

The Mufti pointed out in his statement that Dar al-Fatwa is “the home of all Muslims.”

"Dar al-Fatwa will remain faithful to the Muslims' expectancies,” he added.

Qabbani's statement comes amid a heated debate over the leadership of Lebanon’s top Sunni religious authority.

The Mufti will perform the Eid prayers at 6:40 am on Thursday at the Mohammed al-Amin mosque in downtown Beirut.

However, Qabbani said he will not be receiving well-wishers “due to the security situation in Lebanon and neighboring countries.”

Saudi Arabia had announced earlier on Wednesday that Thursday is the first day of Eid al-Fitr after the Shawwal's crescent was sighted in the kingdom.