Chand Raat, Shawwal Crescent Moon Sighting 2024 In Saudi Arabia Live Updates: Check Eid-ul-Fitr Date

As the auspicious month of Ramadan 2024 comes to its end, Muslims around the world are preparing to celebrate Eid. The date for Eid-ul-Fitr is decided according to the moon's Shawwal crescent in countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, United Kingdom, and others in the Middle East and West.

This position of the moon decided the date for Eid and also signifies the commencement of a new month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

Chand Raat, Shawwal Crescent Moon Expected Today

Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as Eid or Ramadan Eid, marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, recite the Holy Quran, and engage in prayers to Allah. Unlike the Gregorian calendar followed in the West, the Islamic calendar is lunar, dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon.

Here are the highlights:

9:30 pm: In India, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on April 11th, except for Kerala.

9:15 pm: Now, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on April 10th in Saudi Arabia.

9:00 pm: The crescent moon wasn't sighted in Saudi Arabia today, which means Ramadan will last for 30 days, ending on April 9th.

7:30 pm: On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, markets in Kashmir witnessed heavy footfall on Monday as people went out to shop ahead of the auspicious day, which will mark the culmination of the Islamic fasting month, Ramzan.

7:15 pm: Many astronomers are of the view that it will be difficult to see the crescent today. "Today, Monday, it will be impossible to see the Shawwal crescent, , because the moon will set before the sun and the new crescent will not be born until after sunset."

7:01 pm: Astronomers predict that this Ramadan will likely last 30 days. However, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), efforts will be made to see the crescent moon for confirmation.

6:13 pm: The weather in Riyadh, Tumair and Sudair is a bit cloudy with rainfall reported in parts of Riyadh.

6.10 pm: Most of the astronomers are in agreement that it will difficult to sight the creacent of Shawwal 1445 today however in recent times Sudair observatory has proved them wrong on many occasions.

5.55 pm: The crescent will be observed from observatories in Multiple cities. The observations are most popular in Sudair and Tumair and results from these 2 cities are watched closely as the Supreme Court mostly finalises decisions from these two.

Usually, Eid-ul-Fitr occurs approximately 10-11 days earlier each year, contingent upon the sighting of the moon, as lunar months are shorter than solar months, resulting in variation from country to country by about a day. The term "Chand Raat," used in South Asian cultures, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, refers to the night preceding Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid al-Adha.

"Chand" translates to "moon" and "raat" to "night" in Urdu, signifying the night when Muslims observe the crescent or new moon, heralding the conclusion of Ramadan or the month of Zul-Hijjah. It is a festive occasion characterized by shopping for new clothes, bangles, and other items to wear on Eid day, with bustling markets and celebratory atmospheres where people indulge in sweets, exchange gifts, and greet each other with "Eid Mubarak" (Blessed Eid).

This culturally significant event marks the conclusion of fasting and is a time for joyous celebration with loved ones. The celebratory night of Chand Raat is followed by Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations the following morning, a major religious holiday observed by Muslims worldwide, signifying the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. Eid-ul-Fitr, also known as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," occurs on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar.

With fasting commencing on March 11, 2024, in regions like the Middle East, USA, UK, and Canada, the Supreme Court in Saudi Arabia has called upon Muslims across the Kingdom to look for the new crescent moon on the evening of Monday, Ramadan 29, 1445 Hijri, corresponding to April 8, 2024.

This sighting will mark the conclusion of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal. Should the Shawwal crescent moon be sighted on Monday evening in countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, United Kingdom, and others in the Middle East and West, Chand Raat will occur on Monday, April 8, followed by Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations on April 9, 2024.

However, if the moon is not sighted on Monday evening, Chand Raat will be on Tuesday, April 9, with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated on April 10, 2024, potentially extending Ramadan fasting to 30 days instead of 29. The anticipation of Chand Raat is palpable as families and friends gather on rooftops, courtyards, parks, or open spaces on the last day of Ramadan to witness the crescent moon.

Indian Muslims, along with those in other South Asian countries, will eagerly await the sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, after breaking their fast at evening prayers. Should the Shawwal crescent moon be sighted, Chand Raat will be celebrated on Tuesday night, marking the commencement of the Islamic month of Shawwal and Eid-ul-Fitr festivities on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Alternatively, if the moon remains unseen, Muslims in India and other South Asian countries will continue fasting on Wednesday, with Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecasted the likely sighting of the Shawwal moon on April 9, 2024, with the moon expected to align with the sun on April 8 at 11:21 pm (local time).

The Met Office anticipates clear skies in southern regions of Pakistan and potentially cloudy skies in northern regions. The possibility of a 29-day Ramadan, supported by scientific findings in Pakistan, is endorsed by the country's Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairman.UAE