By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: Astronomer and historian Adel Al-Saadoun revealed that Eid Al-Fitr for the year 1444 AH will be celebrated on different days in Muslim countries, depending on when the first of Shawwal is declared. “April 20 will mark the 29th day of Ramadan in most Islamic countries, as these countries depend on the conjunction of the moon and sun, which is expected to happen after sunset,” he said.

“For countries that wait for the crescent moon as a signal of the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan will be on April 21,” he added. Regarding the circumstances of sighting the crescent, he said the moon will align with the sun on April 20, 2023, and at the same time, an eclipse of the sun will occur that will not be seen in the Arab region.

Conjunction and eclipse time is at 7:12 am. Sunset will be at 6:06 pm, while moonset will be at 6:42 pm. “The moon’s age will be 11 hours and six minutes. Centuries ago, the sighting of the crescent was not proven unless its age exceeded 15 and half hours and the moon stayed after sunset for 24 minutes,” Saadoun pointed out.

He indicated the conditions of sighting the crescent will not be fulfilled, saying the crescent moon will not be seen in most Arab countries, even Mauritania, neither with the naked eye or with binoculars. Eid Al-Fitr is an important Islamic holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, celebrating the successful completion of this spiritual journey. The exact date of Eid Al-Fitr varies each year, as it follows the lunar calendar.