Eid Al-Fitr to begin Oct 1, astronomers confirm

EID CELEBRATION: Emirates Astronomical Society said the last day of the holy month of Ramadan will fall on Sept. 30. (Getty Images)

Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, will start on the Oct. 1, UAE state news agency WAM reported on Monday.

Astronomical studies by the Emirates Astronomical Society (EAS) and the Islamic Crescent Observation Project (ICOP) have revealed that the last day of Ramadan will fall on Sept. 30 and Eid will begin the following day.

"Astronomical calculations show that Eid Al-Fitr will be on the first of October [Wednesday] for majority of countries which started Ramadan on Monday [Sept. 1]," Mohammed Shuwkat, rapporteur of activities at EAS and chairman of the ICOP, was quoted as saying.

"Countries which began fasting on Monday will not be able to see the crescent on Monday [Sept. 29] as the moon will set before the sunset. Accordingly, these countries must complete Ramadan up to the 30th day."

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READERS' COMMENTS

Eid Al-Fitr to begin Oct 1, astronomers confirm
Posted by Irfan Als, Dubai, U.A.E on Thursday 2 October 2008 at 07:33 UAE time


what do the astronomers have to say now since their confirmation was a false one. They confirmed that Eid will be on Oct. 1st but this has proven wrong. Eid can only be known on the 29th Day. No astronomer in world can confirm anything in advance.

Moon sighting - ridiculous
Posted by Mohammed, London on Wednesday 1 October 2008 at 13:43 UAE time


It is amazing how these saudi 'scholars' see the moon when it is impossible to see it.

I can't believe that people actually believe the nonsense when it is there in there face. You people are the reason muslims are looked upon negatively.

These extremists who think it is 'haram' to use your brain are ridiculous. Clearly the moon was not seen anywhere near Saudi yet they announced it. A scholar from Lebanon (Fadhlullah) also announced Tuesday, but he uses the South America scientific possibility as justification, unlike the others who faked a literal sighting. I guess the Saudis couldn't declare Eid later than him. (we had this nonsense last year with another mythical sighting)

Moon Sighting
Posted by kamran razaq, Sheffield, UK on Wednesday 1 October 2008 at 01:24 UAE time


Look its very simple, we use calculations if the moon is not sighted. If it has been sighted anywhere in the world, the communication links allow us to inform the world. Now what is the problem. If the moon has been sighted and confirmed than why the calculations? Have we gone totally mad? There is no logic any other way. We are not following saudi, but we are following the information in regards to the moon sighting.

We muslim's should be educated people and I can't believe a simple thing like this can divide us so apart. It simple if no moon is sighted than we use calculations. But if it has been sighted why the need for Calculations? It does not matter where it has been sighted, there is only one new moon. It doesn't come again the next day from start, its a day old. Come on get with it.

Salam. Sorry for putting the facts to you, but its true.

Re: Moon sighting- and Fatwa -- creating problem for Muslims
Posted by Tariq, USA on Tuesday 30 September 2008 at 22:29 UAE time


Dear Mr Kashif,
Yes, prayer times are calculated everywhere. But even for prayers, the actual reliance will be on sighting and NOT on calculated tables. For eg, if my prayer time says sunrise is at 5:55AM and at 5:50AM I can SEE with my eyes that the sun has risen, then Fajr time has ended, regardless of what my prayer time calculation says. So calculations are useful as an ESTIMATE, but DO NOT override the actual sighting. This is why the ulama oppose calculation based Eid's/other ibaadaat.

The other issue is that while the sun's movement can be predicted very accurately, predicting the hilaal (new moon) sighting with 100% accuracy is impossible. Since actual sighting depends on a lot of factors like atmospheric conditions, weather, clouds etc. So Islamic scholar are not out of step, it is the muslim LAYMEN who are out of step with science. May Allah (SWT) guide us all.

For more info on the science and sighting reports:
www.moonsighting.com
www.wifaqululama.co.uk
www.hilalbase.org

Assalaamualaikum
Tariq

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