Eid Date And Solar Eclipse: How Will It Affect Ramadan Ending And Moon Sighting?

As Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims worldwide woiuld be celebrating Eid al-Fitr. The determination of the beginning and end of Ramadan is traditionally based on the sighting of the moon.

The ideal moment is when the moon is positioned between Earth and the sun, revealing the far side of the moon illuminated.

Eid Date And Solar Eclipse

Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting from sunrise to sunset in the Islamic Hijri calendar, is characterized by the sighting of the new moon. With Ramadan having commenced on March 11 this year, there is curiosity about whether it will conclude and the joyous festival of Eid al-Fitr will commence, during the total solar eclipse on April 8, as reported by Hindustan Times.

A total solar eclipse is the only occasion when the new moon becomes visible. Ordinarily, the new moon is obscured by the sun's glare and remains unseen. However, this month presents a unique opportunity for moon sighting in North America.

How is the timing of Ramadan and Eid impacted by the Crescent Moon?

Ramadan, observed as a month-long sunrise-to-sunset fast by devout Muslims worldwide, is not concluded (nor does Eid begin) at the moment of the new moon.

Despite the visibility of the silhouette of the new moon using eclipse glasses in North America on Monday, April 8 (with totality viewable only within a 115-mile-wide path), the end of Ramadan and start of Eid are traditionally determined by sighting the first crescent moon after the new moon in the Islamic Hijri calendar, as per media reports.

Here is what you need to know about Eid al-Fitr and its observance this year.

When is Eid al-Fitr?

The Islamic calendar, based on lunar cycles, means that the dates for Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha can vary annually. This year, Ramadan began at sundown on Sunday, March 10. Eid al-Fitr is customarily celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, following the sighting of the new moon.

How will the Solar Eclipse impact moon sighting?

However, this year's total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, will impact the visibility of the Shawwal crescent moon. According to The National, the crescent moon will not be visible until April 9, the 30th day of Ramadan, reported by Hindustan Times.

Initially, astronomers anticipated that Eid al-Fitr would commence on April 9. However, due to the total solar eclipse, the new moon will not be visible at the western horizon after sunset on April 8.

Instead, the crescent moon is expected to become visible after sunset on April 9 in most Islamic countries, with April 10 likely marking the first day of Shawwal and Eid al-Fitr, as reported by Harper's Bazaar Arabia, as per media reports.

While the official confirmation of Eid al-Fitr's arrival is anticipated on Monday night, marking April 10 on your calendar appears to be a prudent choice.