HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: In the holy city of Najaf, Al-Marje Ad-Dini Grand Ayatullah Sayyed Ali Al-Husseini As-Sistani has announced that Tuesday October 24 is the first day of Shawal – Eid`ol Fitr.

Iran Supreme Leader office in a statement on Monday said, "The crescent of the next lunar month has been sighted and felicitations to all Muslims on Eid ol-Fitr. May God accept your prayers during the holy month of Ramadan."

Millions of Muslims across Indonesia, Egypt, Syria, Oman, Morocco, Algeria , Jordan, and several other countries also celebrate Eid`ol-Fitr, the end of the Ramadan fasting month, on Tuesday.

The feast holiday of Eid`ol-Fitr was observed on Monday in Saudi Arabia, Palestine, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, France, Libya, Sudan, Togo, Bahrain, Yemen, Tunisia, China, and most Gulf States.

In India and Pakistan, as the Shawal moon was not sighted on Monday, therefore Eid`ol-Fitr would be celebrated on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Iraqi police has employed 23,000 security forces to secure the safety of pilgrims who will celebrate Eid`ol-Fitr at Imam Ali's (AS) holy shrine.

Major Ali Jariv, spokesman for security forces in the holy city of Najaf reiterated that the security forces will be deployed in Najaf, Kufa and Vadi-os-Salam cemetery.