Eid al Fitr, also known as Eid ul-Fitr, is one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar every year.
The name of the festival means the festival of breaking the fast as it signifies the end of daily fasting undertaken by Muslims during the month of Ramadan.
There are two main Eid festivals in the Islamic calendar each year, and Eid al Fitr, is the first of the two. The second is Eid ul Adha, which goes on for four days and is a celebration at the end of the Hajj.
Here's what you need to know about when the festival is, why people will be looking for the moon as well as forecasts on when the moon will be visible in the UK.
When is Eid 2022?
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on a different date every year. This year, Eid will be celebrated on Monday, May 2 to Tuesday, May 3. Ramadan will end the day before on Sunday, May 1.
However, keep in mind the timings and dates also change from country to country, depending on the geographical location.
Also known as Lesser Eid or Smaller Eid, the start of the festival is calculated according to the sighting of the new moon by the Saudi Arabia moon-sighting committee.
Every year, the Islamic Lunar calendar is shorter than the Solar calendar by 10-12 days, with Eid and Ramadan rotating and being celebrated in different seasons of the year.
Why do people look for the moon on Eid?
Officials and the public will be trying to sight the moon on the 29th of the day of any given month. If the moon is observed, then the month comes to end and if not, the month goes on for one more day.
This means people will be trying to spot the moon on April 30. However, there are indications that it won't be visible that might, meaning Ramadan will last 30 days, followed by Eid on May 2.
Eid is also known as Chaand Raat, because there is a huge significance to moon watching on the day, with large scale gatherings around the world on the evening of May 1.
When will you see the moon for Eid?
In the UK, HM Nautical Almanac Office, which provides astronomical data has predicted that the new moon will be born at 9.28pm on Saturday, April 30. But no sightings will be possible on that night from anywhere in the world because the sky won't be clear enough.
If a telescope is used you can see the new moon in parts of the Middle East on Sunday, May 1. Similarly, you might be able to spot the moon with an optical aid in north Africa.
In northern parts of South America and Canada, sightings with the naked eye might be possible if the weather is good. Easy sightings are also possible from the Caribbean region, Central America, the USA, and some other locations.
Naked-eye sightings are likely around the world including the UK on both May 2 and 3.
