Eid al-Fitr 2020: Saudi Arabia moon sighting timing, Shawwal start date, end of Ramadan

Eid al-Fitr or Eid ul-Fitr or Meethi Eid marks the top of Ramadan, additionally known as Ramzan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and is widely known by Muslims all throughout the globe. Eid al-Fitr or the “Festival of breaking fast” celebrations are mentioned to start on May 23 and proceed till May 24, nevertheless, the precise date could range as per the moon sighting. The begin date of any lunar Hijri month varies in line with the brand new moon sighting by non secular authorities, and since Eid al-Fitr additionally marks the primary day of Shawwal month, it’s celebrated on completely different days throughout areas.

Saudi Arabia Supreme Court has requested Muslims all through the nation to report the sighting of the crescent moon.

The court docket mentioned: “Whoever sights the moon with naked eyes or through binoculars, report to the nearest court and register testimony, or report to an authority of a region’s centre in the area.”

Astronomers on the observatory of Majmaah University close to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia confirmed on Thursday that the crescent moon of Shawwal is unlikely to be sighted on Friday, Ramadan 29 (May 22, 2020).

Sources on the observatory mentioned, “According to the scientific calculations that were published on the astronomical observatory site that sun will set at 6.39 pm at 293 degrees, and moon will set at 6.26 pm Friday, Ramadan 29, and this means the moon will set 13 minutes before the sunset.”

“On Saturday, Ramadan 30, corresponding to May 23, the sun will set at 6.40 pm at 239 degrees, and the crescent moon will set at 7.23 pm at 293 degrees, meaning that the crescent will stay on for 43 minutes after sunset at an altitude of 8.84 and elongation of 10.60,” they continued.

Astronomers from Abu Dhabi’s International Astronomical Centre mentioned Eid al-Fitr would more than likely fall on May 24 as recognizing the brand new moon could be unimaginable because of the setting of the moon earlier than the solar. In the wake of the novel coronavirus, the committee will meet remotely through video conferencing.

The Islamic or Hijri calendar is set by moon cycles, which final both 29 or 30 days. The presence of a brand new moon indicators the beginning of a brand new month.

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