Eid Al Fitr likely to be on April 10: IAC

ABU DHABI: This year, the Holy Month of Ramadan did not begin on the same date in all countries. Ramdan in some countries started on Monday, March 11, 2024.

The moon-sighting for Shawwal in these countries will be conducted on Monday, April 8.

Other countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Jordan, Libya and Morocco, started on Tuesday, March 12, and these countries will seek the crescent moon on Tuesday, April 9, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan.

Engineer Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomical Centre (IAC), explained that the crescent moon cannot be seen on Monday, April 8, in countries that will try to sight it due to the moon seting before the sun and the conjunction occurring ater sunset.

Therefore, these countries will complete the Holy Month of Ramadan for 30 days, making Wednesday, April 10, the first day of Eid Al Fitr for them.

He added that the crescent moon can be sighted on Tuesday, April 9, from certain regions.

It is visible using a telescope from the eastern part of the world and South Africa, and with some difficulty using the naked eye from Central Asia and the central African continent.

However, it is relatively easy to see from West Asia, North Africa, most of Europe and most of the American continents with naked eye.

Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, in most of the countries as the sighting of the crescent moon is expected to be announced on that day.

However, in India and Bangladesh, Eid Al Fitr may be celebrated on Thursday, April 11, as the crescent moon sighting may be declared unconfirmed on Tuesday.