Eid Al Fitr on Wednesday as crescent moon not spotted

Abu Dhabi - It is highly unlikely for anyone to witness the crescent on Monday evening. However, people from all around the world will still go outside and try to spot the crescent moon.

The moon-sighting committee in UAE, along with the rest of the population, will keep an eye out for the crescent moon after Maghreb prayers on Monday evening.
According to Saudi media, tomorrow, July 5 will be the last day of Ramadan.
Witnessing the crescent will thus confirm the start of the month of Shawwal, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al Fitr.
However, if the crescent is absent then Eid Al Fitr will fall on Wednesday, July 6, explained Mohammad Odeh from the International Astronomical Center Abu Dhabi.
Odeh said that it is highly unlikely for anyone to witness the crescent on Monday evening, however people from all around the world will still go outside and try to spot the crescent moon, because it is a yearly custom.

"In order for the crescent to be seen, the moon must set after the sunset."
"But it is impossible to sight the moon crescent today from almost all Muslim countries around the world, simply because the moon will set prior to sunset," he noted.
"However, people from all around the country will still try to spot the moon, but it is certain that no one will see the crescent today."
The Sharia courts across the nation have also been asked to look out for the crescent moon and inform the committee, which is set up by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice at the Judiciary Department in Abu Dhabi.
UAE residents are, however, anticipating the sighting of the moon, as it not only marks Eid Al Fitr, but it also means they will have a longer weekend.
Odeh pointed out that even if no crescent moon will be spotted, an official decision will nonetheless be declared on Monday evening on the start of Eid Al Fitr.
"As the crescent is most likely not going to be seen on Monday after Maghreb prayers, then Eid will take place on Wednesday, however, officials will declare this later in the evening," he added.
Sultan al Nuaimi, Chairman of UAE Astronomy Society, also told Khaleej Times that the moon crescent will not be spotted on Monday evening.
"It is a yearly tradition to have the meeting with the committee on the 29th day of Ramadan, but the moon will not be spotted tonight, which means Eid Al Fitr will take place on Wednesday."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

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