ISLAMABAD: The International Astronomy Centre has announced that the Shawwal moon crescent in Saudi Arabia is unlikely to be sighted on April 20, indicating that Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on April 22. The head of the astronomy center, Muhammad Shaukat, has stated that the first day of the month of Shawwal is most likely to fall on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has urged citizens to sight the moon on Thursday with the naked eye and register their testimony at the nearest court. If the moon is sighted on Thursday (April 20), Saudi Arabia will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a religious holiday in Islam celebrated by Muslims across the world, marking the end of the month-long fasting in Ramadan. The day begins with early morning prayers, followed by Muslims dressing up in traditional clothes and families gathering to share their first breakfast together after fasting for 29 or 30 days.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia has imposed strict guidelines during Ramadan, including reduced capacity limits in mosques and a ban on iftar and suhoor gatherings. The country is expected to continue to maintain strict measures during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations to prevent the spread of the virus.
Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations
The sighting of the Shawwal moon is a significant event in the Islamic calendar as it determines the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the month of Shawwal. The moon sighting is traditionally conducted by religious scholars, who rely on visual confirmation of the crescent moon to determine the start of the new month.
Saudi Arabia is expected to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Saturday, as the Shawwal moon is unlikely to be sighted on Thursday. While the pandemic has impacted traditional celebrations, Muslims worldwide will continue to observe the religious holiday in a spirit of community and reflection.
