Muslims across Iran observed Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, March 21, with a grand prayer led by Hojjat-ol-Islam Haj Ali Akbari at Tehran’s Grand Musallah. The holiday fell on the first day of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, as determined by religious authorities after the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. The festival includes a special congregational prayer traditionally held in open fields or large halls, emphasizing unity and gratitude.

Muslims are required to fast until Ramadan’s final day and give Zakat al-Fitr, a charitable offering, before the Eid prayer. The holiday prohibits fasting and celebrates the completion of 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-dusk abstinence.

While Iran observed Eid on Saturday, other Muslim-majority countries celebrated on Friday. The date is confirmed locally by religious leaders, leading to variations across the Islamic world.