Moon sighted in Hyderabad; Eid to be celebrated on Saturday

Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan, will be celebrated across the country on Saturday.

"Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow as the moon was sighted in Hyderabad, Bihar, Manipur, Karnataka, Assam and Tamil Nadu," Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari said.

Ramzan, 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 and it culminates in Eid celebrations.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have extended their Eid wishes to the people.

"On the joyous occasion of Idu'l Fitr, I convey warm greetings and good wishes to my fellow citizens, particularly to all Muslim brothers and sisters... Let us on this day forgive and forget our difference," Mukherjee said.

"The holy month of Ramzan is coming to an end. People are waiting for Eid. The country and the world will celebrate Eid. I extend hearty greetings on this occasion," Modi said.

In his message, Ansari said, "May the noble ideals that mark Id-ul-Fitr enrich our lives with peace, prosperity and harmony and unite us all in the spirit of humanity."