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Muslims across the globe are preparing to sight the moon for the Islamic lunar month of Shawwal which begins with the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Countries including the United Kingdom, United States and Turkey, among others have announced moonsighting forecasts for this year to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr 2024.
Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the two main Eid events in the Islamic calendar that involves feasts, gatherings, prayers and gift-giving. This Eid is celebrated in the month of Shawwal and continues for three days.
The date of this celebration is determined after attempts to sight the crescent of the new moon.
So when will Muslims across the globe celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr this year?
Shawwal moonsighting in UK
People in the UK have been asked to sight the moon for Shawwal today (April 8) but astronomical predictions suggest that the moon will not be visible, Birmingham Mail reported.
HM Nautical Almanac Office said — a UK government agency providing astronomical data for religious organisations, the armed forces and calendar manufacturers — the moon should easily be visible on April 9 (Tuesday) and April 10 (Wednesday).
Shawwal moonsighting in US
The US is set to witness a total solar eclipse today which is also when Muslims in the country will be looking for the Shawwal moon in the sky.
However, experts say it’s very unlikely to spot the crescent within hours of a new moon, USA Today reported.
According to the US Naval Observatory, sighting a lunar crescent within a day of a new moon is “usually difficult” and that means Eid most likely won’t fall on April 9 and may be celebrated on April 10.
Shawwal moonsighting in UAE
The United Arab Emirates moon-sighting committee has invited all Muslims in the country to sight the crescent of the month of Shawwal on Monday evening, which corresponds to 29th Ramadan, the Gulf News reported.
The International Astronomy Center has forecasted that Ramadan is likely to last for 30 days this year, predicting Eid-ul-Fitr to fall on April 10.
Shawwal moonsighting in Morocco
Astronomical predictions suggest that the moon will not be visible in Morocco today, but it may be easily visible on Tuesday, April 9, and Wednesday, April 10.
However, the official announcement in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, will be made after sunset.
The sunset in Rabat on Tuesday will occur at 6:55pm and moonset at 8:04pm.
Shawwal moonsighting in Turkey
Eid-ul-Fitr 2024 in Turkey is projected to fall on April 11, according to astronomical forecasts cited by Morocco World News.
However, the exact day of the celebration will be confirmed following the crescent moon sighting.
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