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The Shawwal crescent moon has not been sighted in Saudi Arabia on Friday night, meaning that Ramadan will last 30 days this year and Eid al-Fitr will fall on Sunday.
RIYADH — Astronomical calculations have confirmed that there is no possibility for sighting the Crescent Moon of Shawwal in the evening of Friday, Ramadan 29, corresponding to May 22.
The calculations showed that Moon will set before Sun on Friday and hence Eid Al-Fitr would be on Sunday, May 24, after completing 30 days of fasting, according to Astronomers at the Observatory of Majmaah University near Riyadh.
The Observatory sources said: “According to the Scientific calculations that were published on the Astronomical Observatory site that the Sun will set at 6:39 p.m. at 293 degrees, and the Moon will set at 6:26 p.m. Friday, Ramadan 29, and this means the setting of the Moon happens 13 minutes before sunset.
Eid al-Fitr celebrations follow the sighting of the crescent moon, ending the holy month of Ramadan and the dawn-to-dusk fasting of millions of Muslims.
“Friday, May 22, will mark the 29th day of Ramadan in most Islamic countries that started Ramadan on Friday, April 24.
More than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world marked Ramadan this year, during which believers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and having marital relations from dawn until sunset. They also try to avoid evil thoughts and deeds.
This year’s Ramadan is markedly different as many Muslims will not be able to experience the communal traditions of Ramadan due to the restrictions on movement and social gathering imposed in Islamic and Muslim-majority countries across the world following the coronavirus pandemic.
Abass Latifat
