Astronomers’ forecasts suggest that Morocco will celebrate the first day of Eid Al Fitr on May 2, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
According to news outlet Sawa, astronomical calculations forecast that May 1st will be the last day of Ramadan in Morocco and Algeria.
Astronomers suggest that May 2 will be the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar; the first day of Shawwal marks the end of Ramadan.
This means Ramadan will only last for 29 days this year as it started on April 3.
But these astronomers’ projections are yet to be confirmed through the official Eid Al Fitr date announcement.
Morocco’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs assigns crescent moon sightings to its accredited imams and astronomers who confirm the official day of Eid Al Fitr a day or a few days prior to the feast.
In addition to the astronomical calculations quoted by Sawa, several Moroccan astronomers expect May 2 to mark Eid Al Fitr.
In March, Moroccan astronomer Hicham Aissaoui predicted that Ramadan would last 29 days for the fifth year in a row in Morocco.
He also predicted that May 1 would be the last day of Ramadan this year.
Nearly two billion Muslims fast every year during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.
Throughout Ramadan, Muslims engage in meditation practices — through fasting, prayers, and charity.
Mosques across Morocco are traditionally sites of memorable nights when millions of Moroccans gather for Taraweeh’s prayers.
Taraweeh is extra prayers performed at mosques following al Isha (night prayer). Moroccans expressed excitement at the news that they would finally be able to perform Taraweeh at mosques this year after two years of tough COVID-19 restrictions.
Morocco prohibited Taraweeh prayers at mosques in 2020 and 2021 to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Moroccans are also this year enjoying Ramadan night, with the country having in the past two years gone through night curfews, as well as closed cafes, restaurants, and other public places.
