All articles tagged with #moon sighting
Saudi moon spotters have confirmed Eid al-Fitr 2026 for Friday, March 20, marking the end of Ramadan; the date is set by the sighting of the crescent moon in the Islamic calendar, and Californians can expect mosque prayers and community Eid celebrations across Southern California, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley, with times and formats varying by location.
Ramadan 2026 will end on March 19 after Saudi moon-sighting attempts did not confirm the crescent, meaning Eid al-Fitr is expected to begin on March 20; Eid marks the Festival of Breaking the Fast and is celebrated worldwide with prayers, gatherings and sweets, observed by about 2 billion Muslims.
Saudi moon-sighting authorities confirmed Eid al-Fitr 2026 will begin on Friday, March 20, with the Shawwal crescent possibly sighted on March 19–20; Eid marks the start of Shawwal after Ramadan and is celebrated worldwide with prayers, festive meals, greetings of Eid Mubarak, and Zakat al-Fitr donations.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE confirmed the Ramadan crescent sighting, with most Gulf countries expected to begin fasting on Wednesday; Oman starts one day later (Feb 19), Kuwait has also confirmed, and Turkey and Indonesia announced fasting dates for Feb 19. In the Indian subcontinent, fasting dates usually follow the Gulf’s sighting by a day, subject to local announcements.
Ramadan 2026 begins around Feb 18–19 with the crescent sighting determining the start. Fasting lasts from dawn to dusk, varying globally from about 12 to 15 hours—shorter in the Northern Hemisphere and longer in southern countries like Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. A table in the article lists first and last-day fasting times by city, and greetings such as ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ and ‘Ramadan Kareem’ are commonly exchanged.
Eid-al-Fitr 2024 celebrations in India will be on April 11, except in Kerala and Kargil where the crescent moon was sighted, prompting celebrations on April 10. The moon sighting was not confirmed in Delhi, Lucknow, and Hyderabad. The date of Eid depends on the Shawwal crescent moon sighting, with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar celebrating on April 10. The moon sighting might be impacted by a total solar eclipse, delaying the sighting until April 9.
The sighting of the crescent moon to mark the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid al-Fitr was obscured in some parts of the world by the solar eclipse, leading to delays in the declaration of Eid in some Islamic communities. The phenomenon reduced lunar visibility, causing Muslim communities in different regions to celebrate Eid on different days. The traditional Hijri calendar, which marks religious events for Muslims, relies on the sighting of the early crescent moon, and the holy month of Ramadan begins at the start of the ninth month.
The crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of Ramadan for many Muslims, who will begin fasting on Monday. However, some Asia-Pacific countries will start fasting on Tuesday. This year's Ramadan comes amid the Israel-Hamas war, with concerns that the conflict may spark unrest beyond current borders. Muslims around the world are preparing for a month of religious reflection, family gatherings, and giving, while also facing challenges such as inflation and high food prices.
The crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of Ramadan for many Muslims, while some countries will begin fasting on Tuesday. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and global food inflation are casting a shadow over this year's Ramadan. The conflict and Israeli restrictions on Muslims praying at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque may fuel militant anger, while the Islamic State group has historically launched attacks during Ramadan.
Eid al-Adha, the holier of the two Eid festivals observed by Muslims, is set to begin on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, following the Day of Arafat on Tuesday. The festival lasts for four days and commemorates the story of the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Traditionally, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts, with one part given to the poor, one to the immediate family, and one reserved for relatives. The phrase "Eid Mubarak" is used to greet fellow Muslims during both Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr, translating to "blessed celebration" or "happy Eid."
The moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah 1444 month and deciding the date for Eid al-Adha 2023. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah month, which will fall on June 28 if the month starts from June 19. If the month starts from June 20, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on June 29. The Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, and each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.
The Shawwal crescent has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal month. Eid al-Fitr will be observed on April 21 in Saudi Arabia. However, there were disagreements among astronomers in Sudair over the moon sighting. If the moon is not sighted, Eid al-Fitr in Saudi Arabia will be celebrated on April 22.