Eid Al Fitr 2023, one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This festival is celebrated by Muslims worldwide with great enthusiasm and joy. The exact date of Eid Al Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, which signals the end of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of using astronomical calculations to predict the sighting of the crescent moon. The International Astronomy Centre (IAC) in Abu Dhabi is one such organization that uses scientific methods to predict the start of Islamic months and festivals.
According to the IAC, Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Saturday, April 22, 2023, based on astronomical calculations. The sighting of the crescent moon will be possible on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in most parts of the world, including the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and most of Asia. However, the actual sighting will depend on various factors such as weather conditions and the position of the moon.
In a statement, it is said:
Seeing the crescent on Thursday is not possible with a telescope in most countries of the Arab and Islamic world, except for parts of West Africa starting from Libya. But spotting remains very difficult and requires a precise telescope, professional monitoring and exceptional weather conditions. The occurrence of all these factors is rare. Therefore the crescent is not expected to be seen even using a telescope from anywhere in the Arab world unless the mentioned circumstances.
The IAC has urged Muslims around the world to look for the crescent moon on Thursday evening after sunset. If the crescent is sighted, it will signal the start of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan. Muslims will then celebrate Eid Al Fitr the next day, which is a public holiday in most Islamic countries.
The use of astronomical calculations to predict the start of Islamic months and festivals is not new. Muslim scholars have been using these methods for centuries to determine the start of Ramadan and other Islamic months. However, the use of technology and advanced equipment has made these predictions more accurate and reliable.
In conclusion, the IAC has predicted that Eid Al Fitr is expected to fall on Saturday, April 22, 2023, based on astronomical calculations. Muslims around the world will be eagerly waiting to sight the crescent moon on Thursday evening after sunset to confirm the start of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan. Eid Al Fitr is a time of joy and celebration, and Muslims around the world will be looking forward to spending this special day with their families and friends.
