Rabat – Moroccan astronomer Abdelaziz Kharbouch Al Ifrani has announced that the sighting of the crescent of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar, will be possible in all Arab and most Islamic countries on Ramadan 29, 1440 (June 4).
The astronomer told Morocco World News that the first day of Shawwal will be on June 5, marking the first day of Eid Al Fitr in Morocco.
Eid Al Fitr or “Feast of breaking the fast” in English will be celebrated among Muslims worldwide.
Al Ifrani, whose previous predictions for Ramadan and other religious celebrations have all been correct to date, said that sighting of the moon with the naked eye will not be possible on June 3.
It is possible that other Arab countries will also celebrate Eid Al Fitr on June 5.
The International Astronomical Centre (IAC) has also said that the crescent in Arab countries will not be visible on June 3.
Sighting the crescent moon with a naked eye will be possible on June 4 in most Arab nations.
The astronomer shared his calculations with Morocco World News before Ramadan, emphasizing that the north African country would celebrate the first day of the holy month on May 7. He was later proved right by The Moroccan Ministry of Islamic Affairs. Other countries started Ramadan on May 6.
Countries that started fasting on May 6 will complete 30 days of fasting, while others who started on May 7 will complete 29 days in Ramadan.
Muslims worldwide begin the celebration with Eid prayers at dawn in mosques across the globe.
Morocco usually gives a three-day holiday for the celebration, it is a time when families visit each other.
After the eid prayer, families gather around a table full of various Moroccan pastries, cakes ,and breads, accompanied by mint tea, milk, and coffee.
