The much-awaited sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal, has been reported in several parts of the world. Muslims in India, Pakistan, Australia, Singapore, Bangladesh, and other South Asian countries eagerly awaited the appearance of the new moon on Tuesday evening, April 9, 2024, corresponding to Ramadan 29, 1445 Hijri.
In a significant development, the crescent moon was sighted in the Indian states of Kerala, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir, as well as in some cities of Pakistan. This means that Muslims in these regions will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast,” on Wednesday, April 10, along with their brethren in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, USA, United Kingdom, and other Middle Eastern and Western countries.
However, the crescent moon remained elusive in the rest of India, Bangladesh, and other South Asian countries. As a result, Muslims in these areas will continue fasting on Wednesday, April 10, and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The extended fasting period is due to the moon sighting discrepancies across various regions, leading to a 30-day fast this year, instead of the typical 29 days.
Eid-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion that is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long fasting during Ramadan. The exact date of the festival is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon, as per the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival’s name itself signifies its importance, with “Eid” meaning “celebration” and “Fitr” meaning “breaking of the fast.”
The sighting of the crescent moon has been a topic of great interest and anticipation among Muslims across the globe. On April 8 evening, the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted by Muslims in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, USA, United Kingdom, and other countries in the Middle East and West. Consequently, they continued their fast on Tuesday, April 9, and will mark Chand Raat, the night of the moon, on Tuesday evening.
In South Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Australia, Singapore, and Bangladesh, Muslims looked for the Shawwal crescent after breaking their fast on Tuesday evening and performing the Maghrib prayers. The sighting of the moon in different regions has led to a split in the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations across India.
Muslims in Kerala, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir, along with those in Pakistan, will observe Chand Raat on Wednesday, April 9, and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday, April 10. Meanwhile, the rest of India will continue fasting and gear up for the festivities on Thursday, April 11.
This year’s Ramadan has been unique, with Muslims in India observing a 30-day fast, similar to their counterparts in the Middle East and West. The extended fasting period has been a result of the moon sighting discrepancies across various regions.
As the festivities commence, Muslims across the world will come together to celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal. The festival is a time for family gatherings, feasts, and acts of charity, as Muslims express their gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon them during the sacred month.
