New Delhi (PTI): Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the culmination of the fasting month of Ramzan, will be celebrated in the country on Monday as the moon was sighted this evening.

Fatehpuri Masjid Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmad told PTI that the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of the mosque contacted many places and was informed that the moon was sighted at several places.

Eid will be celebrated in the country on March 31, Monday, he said.

Describing Eid as a festival of brotherhood and harmony, Ahmad said, "On this occasion, we pray that brotherhood and harmony in the country continues to prosper and is strengthened with love."

In Jammu and Kashmir, Grand Mufti Nasirul Islam said that the festival will be celebrated on Monday as the crescent moon was sighted at many places in the Union territory. "Reports of moon sighting have been received from various parts including Srinagar," the Grand Mufti told reporters in Srinagar.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated across the world on different days and it is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon which is supposed to denote the start of the Shawwal month in the lunar Islamic calendar.

Meanwhile, Muslim organization Imarat-e-Shariah-Hind also issued a statement confirming the sighting of the Eid moon in different parts of the country including in the national capital.

The statement quoted Maulana Najibullah Qasmi, secretary of the organization's Ruat-e-Hilal Committee (Moon Committee), as saying that it is announced that the "month of Shawwal will start from Monday, March 31 and special prayers of Eid-ul-Fitr will be offered tomorrow morning".

Meanwhile, Shahi Jama Masjid Imam Syed Shaban Bukhari said in a video shared on social media that the moon of the Islamic month of Shawwal was sighted in different parts of the country on Sunday, hence it is announced that Eid-ul-Fitr is on Monday.

Head of prominent Muslim organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Maulana Arshad Madani, in a post on Facebook, greeted people on Eid and said he prays that Allah makes this Eid "an opportunity to remove differences and promote the spirit of tolerance and love among us".

This year the month of Ramzan was of 29 days, while last year it was of 30 days.

According to the Islamic calendar, there are 29 or 30 days in a month, depending on the sighting of the moon. During the month of Ramzan, people do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset.

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Bengaluru: Shivajinagar Police have arrested two persons for allegedly stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 1.13 crore from the Pulakeshinagar residence of Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.

The accused have been identified as Ameer Ahmed and his associate Syed Ameer, Deccan Herald reported.

Police said Ameer Ahmed is known to the family and is a distant relative of the minister’s mother, Sogar Khanam. He had been visiting the house regularly and had reportedly gained the family’s trust by offering assistance.

According to police, He had suffered losses in his travel business and was in financial distress. He had allegedly sought Rs 5 lakh as financial help from the family and expressed a desire to travel to Mecca. When he didn't get help, Ahmed allegedly conspired with his associate Syed and carried out the theft.

Investigators said the duo pledged the stolen gold ornaments at a private finance company and invested the proceeds in real estate ventures.

Suspicion arose after Ahmed stopped visiting the house, following the theft. He also stopped responding to phone calls. His mobile phone remaining switched off post the incident, further raised doubts, leading police to track and arrest him.

During interrogation, both accused reportedly confessed to the crime. Based on the information provided, police recovered the stolen gold ornaments.