Eid Al Fitr this year is expected to fall on April 21, coinciding with Friday prayers (Jum’ah), an obligatory prayer for Muslims.
The ministry issued a clarification regarding the ruling of Friday prayers if the day of Eid and Friday coincides.
The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, has issued several guidelines for mosques.
Guidelines issued by the Ministry
Those who attend Eid prayers on Friday are granted permission not to attend the Friday prayers and can instead perform the prayer at noon.
However, doing both prayers are encouraged.
Those who do not attend Eid prayer are not exempted from performing Friday prayers.
The Imam must perform the Friday prayer for those who do not attend the Eid prayer.
On Friday, only mosques where Friday prayers are held can perform the call to prayer ‘adhaan’. The call to prayer is not mandatory for the noon prayers.
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia announced a four-day long weekend for Eid Al-Fitr 2023 for the private and non-profit sectors.
The long break will be from April 20 until April 24.
The announcement of the holiday was made by the kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development on Twitter.