Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
As Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan, is nearing, the UAE Council for Fatwa has urged the public to look for the Shawwal crescent moon on Saturday.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic Hijri calendar follows lunar cycles, with each month starting after the crescent's sighting.
Shawwal is the 10th month of the Islamic Hijri (AH) calendar and its first day is observed as Eid Al Fitr. AH stands for "Anno Hegirae" in Latin, meaning in the Year of Hijra (migration), marking the Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
If the Shawwal crescent is spotted on Saturday, Ramadan 29, 1446 AH, Eid will fall on Sunday and if it's not spotted, Eid will be on Monday.
The Moon Sighting Committee, formed under the UAE Council for Fatwa, formally announces the moon sighting in the UAE.
All over the world, the occasion starts with Eid prayers after dawn and continues on for the next three days with gatherings, greetings and festivities.
Speaking to Aletihad, Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Emirates Astronomy Society, shared preparations for the sighting of the crescent moon.
"The Emirates Astronomical Society, established in 1999, prioritises astronomical observation, particularly during Ramadan and Eid. It regularly invites members to observe the crescent moon, sets criteria for observation, selects optimal locations, and raises community awareness about the conditions for sighting the moon on the 29th of Ramadan," Al Jarwan said.
He noted that the UAE blends traditional moon sighting methodologies with technology, such as using drones.
Some members of the community use the society's instruments to observe the crescent moon in remote areas as weather conditions, city lights, and pollution could obscure sightings.
The Emirates Astronomical Society, collaborates with the UAE's Moon-sighting committee, in crescent sightings.
"Leading up to Ramadan and Eid, we receive numerous inquiries about sighting conditions and regulations. We update the public on the sighting status on the evening of Ramadan 29th," he added.
"The society plays a key role in reporting sighting results to the relevant authority, which then confirms or denies the sighting based on Sharia guidelines."
