Saudi Arabia announced Thursday that Friday was the first day of the Fitr holiday.
The three-day holiday marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz delivered a speech congratulating the Saudi people and Muslims around the world on the advent of the occasion.
The Fitr holiday is the embodiment of the principles of tolerance and solidarity, he said.
He hoped that this year’s holiday would bring with it peace to the Muslim nation, urging Muslims around the world to adhere to tolerant and moderate Islam and shun extremism and radicalization.
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, then sent cables of congratulations to the heads of state, kings and leaders of Muslim countries to congratulate them on the Fitr holiday.
King Salman also received a number of telephone calls from several world leaders congratulating him on the holiday.
Well-wishers included Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa and President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani.
