The National Hilal Committee of Ghana said the New Moon of Shawal has been sighted at Sege, in the Volta Region at 0400 hours on Thursday.

In an interview with the GNA on Thursday in Accra, Sheikh M. M. Gedel, acting Chairman of the committee, requested all Muslims in the country to stop fasting immediately and to prepare for the Eid-ul Fitr that would be celebrated on Friday.

He appealed to Muslims to mark the celebration with peace, love and unity. Earlier, a statement issued in Accra and signed by the acting Chairman of the committee, said though the New Moon of Shawal had not been sighted as at 21.30 hours on Wednesday, Thursday marked the end of the fasting. The statement said Muslims prayed for perfect peace, unity, progress and development for the people of this country.

Muslims end fasting

The National Hilal Committee in consultation with the National Chief Imam and the Ameer in-charge of Ahamadiya Muslim Mission on Wednesday declared that Thursday 5 December the 30th day of Ramadan, ended the fasting.

In effect, Eid-ul Fitr would automatically be celebrated in the country on Friday 6 December. A statement issued in Accra on Thursday and signed by Sheikh M. M. Gedel, acting Chairman of the committee, said though the New Moon of Shawal had not been sighted as at 21.30 hours on Wednesday, Thursday marked the end of the fasting.

The statement said: "We pray for perfect peace, unity, progress and development for the people of this country."