Eid al-Fitr is almost upon us as Ramadan comes to an end. People across the world are eagerly awaiting the news that the Shawwal moon, which marks the end of the religious holiday, has been spotted. Eid al-Fitr traditionally begins the day after the sighting of the new crescent moon.
Eid al-Fitr will then commence, marking the completion of the Ramadan fast. During the celebration, worshippers gather together to commemorate the end of the fast. Like Ramadan, the date it commences is marked by the sighting of the moon. This tells the world whether Ramadan must go on for another day and whether Eid al-Fitr can begin. As a result, the moon's first appearance can be spotted at different times depending on where you are in the world.
Because of this, it's currently unclear when Eid al-Fitr will begin. It is likely to be on Sunday, May 1, or Monday, May 2 but in some countries, such as Pakistan, it could be a day after that, on May 3. There is some debate as to whether the idea of a moon sighting should refer to you physically witnessing the moon in your region, which could be hampered by factors such as weather conditions, or whether to defer to sightings in Saudi Arabia or other regions.
The UK Government body HM Nautical Almanac has reportedly calculated that the new moon will arrive at 9.28pm on Saturday 30 April, but says that no sighting will be visible worldwide that night. The official date of Eid al-Fitr has not yet been confirmed and is most likely to be announced on Saturday 30th April.
Like Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr will begin the day after the first sighting of the crescent moon. Meaning if the moon is spotted on Sunday May 1 as expected, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Monday 2 May . This is the forecast being followed by Saudi Arabia’s Umm al-Qura Calendar, and would mean this year’s Ramadan lasts for 30 days – it can sometimes last 29.
What are moon sighting forecasts for Eid al-Fitr 2022?
India
In India, the 29th day of Ramadan will occur on Sunday, May 1, 2022, which is the first Sunday in May. If the crescent moon is visible by Sunday evening, Eid al-Fitr 2022 will be celebrated on May 2, assuming the moon is visible by Sunday evening. On the other hand, if this does not occur, the holiday will be observed on May 3, 2022.
Saudi Arabia
According to Saudi state media, the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has requested that citizens and residents search for the crescent moon the evening of Saturday, 30th April. Saudi Arabia is two hours ahead of UK BST. Astronomical charts indicate the moon will not be visible under any circumstances on Saturday evening, indicating that Ramadan goes on one more day into Sunday and Eid will be on Monday.
Morocco
Morocco is one hour behind the UK. Currently it looks as though the moon won't be sighted on Saturday but should be easily seen on Sunday. That means Eid is likely to be Monday.
UK
The UK Government body HM Nautical Almanac has reportedly calculated that the new moon will arrive at 9.28pm on Saturday 30 April, but says that no sighting will be visible. By May 2, the crescent moon should be easily visible from the UK.
Why does the date change?
Each year the Islamic Lunar calendar is typically shorter than the Solar calendar by 10-12 days and usually Eid and Ramadan rotate and are celebrated in different seasons of the year. However, the precise timings and dates change from country to country, depending on the geographical location. Like the start of the holy month, the date of Eid is dictated by the sighting of the moon, which means it can’t be predicted with complete accuracy. This means that technically it could fall either this Sunday or on Monday.
What is the time in Saudi Arabia and when will the Shawwal moon be seen there?
Saudi Arabia is two hours ahead of the UK. So if the time in the UK is 3.15pm, the time in Saudi Arabia is 5.15pm. This year, Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on May 2 and the Saudi Supreme Court has called on Muslims there to sight the crescent of Shawwal on Saturday night, April 30. In an announcement, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), it said anyone who can sight the crescent of Shawwal with the naked eye or through binoculars must report to the nearest court and register their testimony.
When is sunset in Saudi Arabia?
Sunset in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, April 30 is expected to be at 6.22pm (that would be be 4.22pm in the UK).
