Eid ul Fitr 2023 is set to arrive this week, with the moon playing a big part in the Islamic festival.
In the Islamic calendar, the sighting of the new crescent moon marks the start of the month. At present, Eid is expected to fall on either April 21 or 22 in the UK.
Scholars will be looking for the moon on the 29th day of the month, which is Thursday for those who started Ramadan on March 23, and Friday for those in India and Bangladesh who started Ramadan a day later on March 24, Birmingham Live reports.
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British astronomers who work for HM Nautical Almanac Office, a Government agency providing data for police, armed forces, diary manufacturers and others, have forecast the likelihood of seeing the moon. They have looked at the visibility for the crescent in the UK as well as in Morocco and Saudi Arabia, to predict the exact date of Eid ul Fitr this year.
Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Mecca is two hours ahead of UK time (BST).
Thursday, April 20 - moon not visible
Friday, April 21 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 6.42pm, moonset 8.05pm (local times)
Saturday, April 22 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 6.43pm, moonset 9.05pm (local times)
Rabat, Morocco
Morocco is the same as UK time (BST)
Thursday, April 20 - moon not visible
Friday, April 21 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 7.03pm, moonset 8.44pm (local times)
Saturday, April 22 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 7.04pm, moonset 9.50pm (local times)
Liverpool, UK
Thursday, April 20 - moon not visible
Friday, April 21 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 8.22pm, moonset 10.31pm (local times)
Saturday, April 22 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 8.24pm, moonset 11.55pm (local times)
London, UK
Thursday, April 20 - moon not visible
Friday, April 21 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 8.07pm, moonset 10.11pm (local times)
Saturday, April 22 - moon is easily visible with the naked eye. Sunset 8.09pm, moonset 11.32pm (local times)
Timings elsewhere in the UK will be similar.
What does this mean for Eid ul Fitr 2023?
The information all points to the moon not being seen on Thursday, meaning Ramadan and its daily fasting will continue for one more day.
As Islamic days run from sunset to sunset, Ramadan is therefore expected to technically come to an end on Friday evening. The first day of the next month, Shawwal, will then be on Saturday, April 22, and will see the start of the Eid ul Fitr festivities.
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