Muslims across the globe are eagerly preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 2023 as the month-long observance of Ramadan comes to a close.
The exact date of Eid al-Fitr varies depending on the sighting of the moon, and it is expected to commence on Saturday, April 22nd this year in Pakistan. Let’s see what Moon sighting committees from other countries say about Eid Moon.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, months are either 29 or 30 days long, so Muslims often have to wait until the night before Eid to confirm its date. For countries that began Ramadan on March 24th, local moon sighters will scan the horizon after sunset on Friday, April 21st, to search for the crescent moon, Chaand Raat.
Eid Date in Other Countries
Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated the following day if the new moon is sighted. Otherwise, Muslims will continue to fast for one more day to complete the 30-day month. The announcement of Eid al-Fitr is made through various channels such as television, radio stations, and mosques once the sighting of the moon has been confirmed.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), residents will enjoy a four-day break to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. The long weekend began on Thursday, and offices and schools will resume on Monday, April 24th.
New Zealand has also joined the countries sighting the Shawwal crescent moon, with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand confirming that Muslims in the country will sight the Eid moon on Thursday, April 20th, 2023.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has announced that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, April 21st, as the country’s crescent moon has been sighted.
Astronomical reports suggest that the crescent moon is highly likely to be sighted from various locations worldwide on Friday, April 21st. It will be approximately 2.4% lit from Mecca and generally brighter in the post-sunset sky, estimated to be around 4% from the West Coast of the United States.
The Fiqh Council of North America has also announced that the Astronomical New Moon is expected to occur on Thursday, April 20th, 2023, at 4:12 Universal Time. With the elongation being more than 8 degrees and the moon being more than 5 degrees above the sun everywhere in North America on April 20th, the first day of Shawwal, and thus Eid al-Fitr, is expected to be on Friday, April 21st, 2023, insha’Allah.
In France, the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) has called upon Muslims in the country to sight the New Moon of the month of Shawwal 1444 on April 20th, 2023, the 29th day of Ramadan 1444.
In the spirit of the occasion, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed Eid al-Fitr greetings to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. Prime Minister Modi extended warm wishes to the people of Albania on the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr, as conveyed in a message to his Albanian counterpart.
The Embassy of India in Bucharest, accredited to Romania, Albania, and Moldova, tweeted the Prime Minister’s message on Thursday, expressing wishes for peace, harmony, good health, and happiness to the people of Albania and the world as they prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
