Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi, Mar 19: Following the sighting of the Shawwal moon on Thursday evening, the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are set to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday, March 20.

Dakshina Kannada district Khazi Al-Haj Twaka Ahmed Musliyar has confirmed the moon sighting and called upon the community to celebrate the festival on Friday, according to a statement from Masjid Zeenat Baksh treasurer S M Rashid Haji.

In Ullal, Khazi Kanthapuram A P Aboubakr Musliyar has also issued a call to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday. This was confirmed in a press release by Ullal Dargah president B J Hanif Haji.

Similarly, Udupi district Naib Khazi B K Abdurrahman Madani Moolur has announced that the festival will be observed across the district on Friday. Udupi Samyukta Jamat general secretary Haji M A Bawu Moolur released a statement to this effect following the moon sighting on Thursday evening.

The announcement marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the festivities across the coastal belt.

Public holiday declared in DK, Udupi on Mar 20

In view of the moon sighting and the announcement that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, the deputy commissioners of both coastal districts have declared a public holiday.

Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner (DC) HV Darshan and Udupi deputy commissioner (DC) Swaroopa TK have issued separate orders declaring a public holiday across their respective districts on March 20.

Police permit shops to remain open in Mangaluru till midnight

In view of the festival, permission has been granted to keep shops open until 12 midnight on Thursday, Mangaluru police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said.

Several requests had been made to allow shops to remain open late for festive shopping. Accordingly, permission has been granted for shops to function till 12 midnight within the Mangaluru police commissionerate limits, he stated.