Eid Moon sighting: When is the Eid al Fitr Moon sighting? When Eid starts and Ramadan ends
EID Moon sightings are vital to determine when the holiday begins and ends in the Islamic world, and necessitates the involvement of a council to do so. When is the Eid al Fitr Moon sighting?
What is Eid al-Fitr and when does it begin?
Eid al Fitr is the culmination of the month-long month of Ramadan, which has seen the majority of Muslims fasting. While the month-long tradition is meant for personal introspection and spirituality through a shared experience, the end is more celebratory.
When is the Eid al Fitr Moon sighting?
Much like the start of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr begins with a crescent Moon sighting.
The crescent Moon always falls the day following a new Moon, meaning Muslims must wait to find out when Eid is until the new Moon debuts.
Without a crescent Moon, Eid will have to continue for another day until it is sighted.
In 2020, the new Moon should come on May 23, meaning Eid al Fitr may fall from then to May 24.
However, predictions aren't quite enough, as people need to physically see the Moon.
There is some disagreement as to whether this should take place on a personal level or via a deciding group in Saudi Arabia.
The committee will convene at the end of the week virtually given the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abu Dhabi's Minister of Justice, Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi Al Dhaheri, announced the decision to convene them on May 22 today.
If they spot the Moon as expected, Eid al Fitr will come the day after on May 23.
Several communities have doubted the need for a Moon sighting every year, as advances in astronomy allow people to predict it with increasing accuracy.
Science may mean the world's 1.6 billion Muslim practitioners can rely on a standardised date rather than physical observation.
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The way Muslims celebrate will continue to vary, however, with different rules for different nations.
As a Muslim country, Saudi Arabia gives its private sector residents a four-day holiday to celebrate.
The policy varies elsewhere, and the UK does not traditionally mark the occasion with time off work.
People will celebrate none the less, however, but in a much different way than they might be used to.
The unprecedented nature of the coronavirus pandemic means the traditional Eid family gatherings may have to take place virtually.
Past years may families and friends gather in a park for a joint feast, with everyone sharing food and more.
The long month of fasting will see people enjoy food in the comfort of their own homes this year.
The aim of breaking the fast promotes peace and the return to day-to-day life after strict religious devotion.