Bhatkal: Following the sighting of the Shawwal crescent in Kerala’s Malappuram district, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday across Kerala as well as in parts of Coastal Karnataka, including Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapur, Gangolli, Byndoor, Shirur, Bhatkal and Kumta.
Speaking to SahilOnline over the phone, Kozhikode-based Mufti Maulana Ameen Nadwi said that the crescent moon was sighted at Chettipadi, a coastal locality near Parappanangadi in Malappuram district, located about 35 km from Kozhikode. Following the confirmed sighting, Qazis across Kerala officially announced Eid-ul-Fitr, with mosques across the state resonating with Takbeer soon after.
Subsequently, various Malayalam media outlets also confirmed moon sightings from different parts of Kerala, reporting that the holy month of Ramadan concluded after 29 days and that Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed on Friday, March 20.
Following the announcement in Kerala, religious authorities in Coastal Karnataka—particularly in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Bhatkal and Kumta—also declared that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday. The announcement triggered widespread Takbeer in mosques, while Eid preparations gathered momentum, with the Ramadan bazaar in Bhatkal witnessing a heavy rush for last-minute shopping.
Eid Prayer Timings and Arrangements:
In Bhatkal, the main Eid prayer will be held at the Eidgah Maidan on Bunder Road at 7:30 AM. A procession will begin at 7:00 AM from Jamia Masjid and proceed to the Eidgah. The prayer will be led by Maulana Khwaja Moinuddin Akrami Madani.
At Jamia Abad Eidgah in Bhatkal, the prayer will be offered at 7:45 AM by Maulana Ishaq Dangi Nadwi, with processions arriving from various localities as per schedule.
In Shirali, Eid prayers will be held at Rahmaniya Masjid and Ali Miya Masjid at 8:30 AM. Similarly, in Kumta, the Eidgah prayer is scheduled at 8:30 AM, to be led by Maulana Mohammad Meeran Nadwi, with a procession reaching the venue at 8:00 AM.
Eidgah committee members have appealed to the public to adhere to the scheduled timings, maintain discipline, and carry personal prayer mats to the Eidgahs.
It may be noted that in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, following the completion of 30 days of Ramadan due to the non-sighting of the crescent moon, while Oman will also observe Eid on the same day after the moon was sighted on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, several local social organisations, including Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem, Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council (BMKC) and Indian Nawayath Forum (INF), have extended Eid greetings to the community.