'Peace and blessings': UAE leaders extend greetings for Eid Al Fitr 2023

The crescent Moon that signals the end of the holy month of Ramadan was spotted in the UAE on Thursday evening, meaning that the first day of Eid Al Fitr 2023 is on Friday, April 21.

Residents will enjoy a 4-day break to celebrate the Islamic festival. The first long weekend of the year began on Thursday, and offices and schools will resume on Monday, April 24.

On the occasion, UAE leaders have taken to Twitter to extend greetings to residents all around the country, as well as those of the Arab world as a whole.

The President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sent cables of congratulations to the kings, Emirs and presidents of Arab and Islamic states on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr.

He wished them and their peoples continued progress, prosperity and stability. He took to the platform and said, "On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr I congratulate my brothers the Rulers of the Emirates, people of the UAE, and Muslims around the world. We ask God to grant continued peace and wellbeing to the people of the world at this blessed time."

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, have dispatched similar cables to the leaders of Arab and Islamic states on the auspicious occasion.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted: "Happy new year to the UAE and its people.. Happy new year to our Arab and Islamic nation. Happy new year to the world... May God accept your obedience.. and perpetuate your joys.. and fulfill all your aspirations."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, also took to Twitter to extend his greetings.

"We congratulate the leadership and people of the Emirates on the advent of the blessed Eid Al-Fitr", he said, "and we ask God to bring it back to our country and to all Islamic countries and countries of the world as a whole, with goodness, peace and blessings."

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, said: "I congratulate their Highnesses, the rulers of the Emirates and its people, and the Arab and Islamic nation on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, asking God Almighty to accept good deeds from us and from you. Eid is a message of peace and love, and an opportunity to build bridges of communication. Eid Mubarak and Happy New Year."

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