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Saudi Arabia announced the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, will begin on Friday in the kingdom.

"Tomorrow, Friday, is the first day of Eid al-Fitr for this year," with Thursday the last day of Ramadan, the official Saudi Press Agency said on its Twitter account citing a royal court statement.

The timing of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the Muslim lunar calendar.

The holiday is normally celebrated with family gatherings.

Royal Court: Supreme Court announces that tomorrow, Friday, is the first day of Eid Al-Fitr 1444 Hijri.

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng)

The daytime fasting month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk, and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening.

It is also a time of prayers, with the faithful converging in large numbers at mosques, especially at night.

Fasting is widely practised in Saudi Arabia, home of the holiest shrines in Islam in Mecca and Medina.

Saudis are expected to observe a four-day holiday for Eid al-Fitr.