MAKKAH – Muslims worldwide are now divided on the date of celebrating `Eid Al-Fitr, which crowns the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, with some marking it on Tuesday and others on Wednesday, July 6, based on different times of ascertaining the moon-sighting.
Religious authorities in Saudi Arabia announced that the new moon of Shawwal, the 10th month of Islamic calendar, was not sighted on Monday, July 4.
“Therefore, Wednesday, July 6, will be the first day of Shawwal,” Emirates 24/7 reported.
Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta (House of Fatwa) also announced that Wednesday, July 6, will be the start of `Eid Al-Fitr.
`Eid Al-Fitr will also start Wednesday, July 6, in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.
`Eid Al-Fitr is one the two main Islamic religious festivals along with `Eid Al-Adha.
During `Eid days, families and friends exchange visits to express well wishes and children, wearing new clothes bought especially for `Eid, enjoy going out in parks and open fields.
`Eid will also be marked on Wednesday in Pakistan, India, and Malaysia.
In Australia, Imams Council of the ACT said `Eid Al-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday.
Muslims in North America will celebrate the feast on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
Tuesday
Authorities in Turkey and Germany said `Eid will be celebrated on Tuesday.
The European Council on Fatwa and Research has also announced that `Eid Al-Fitr will start on Tuesday, July 5, according to astronomical calculations earlier.
Mauritania as well announced `Eid Al-Fitr on Tuesday, according to media reports.
Moon sighting have always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.
While one group of scholars sees that Muslims in other regions and countries are to follow the same moon sighting as long as these countries share one part of the night, another states that Muslims everywhere should abide by the lunar calendar of Saudi Arabia.
A third, however, disputes both views, arguing that the authority in charge of ascertaining the sighting of the moon in a given country announces the sighting of the new moon, then Muslims in the country should all abide by this.