Eid Al Fitr 2023 likely to fall on Saturday, April 22: International Astronomical Center
The crescent won’t be visible with a telescope in most Arab countries on Thursday: IAC
Dubai: Eid Al Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, could fall on Saturday, April 22, 2023, according to the International Astronomy Centre.
The exact date will only be confirmed based on the moon sighting, with countries across the Islamic world set to investigate the crescent of the month of Shawwal on Thursday, April 20.
The International Astronomy Centre said in a Twitter post that sighting the crescent on Thursday is nearly impossible with the naked eye or a telescope in most Arab and Islamic countries, except parts of West Africa. Specific conditions, such as an accurate telescope, a professional observer, and exceptional weather, are required for the sighting to be possible.
هل العيد الجمعة أم السبت؟
المختصر حول موعد عيد الفطر 1444 هـ
ستتحرى دول العالم الإسلامي هلال شهر شوال (عيد الفطر 1444 هـ) يوم الخميس 20 إبريل/نيسان 2023م.
رؤية الهلال يوم الخميس غير ممكنة بالعين المجردة من أي مكان في العالم العربي والإسلامي.
رؤية الهلال يوم الخميس غير ممكنة… pic.twitter.com/lpb6kjntoK
— مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) April 16, 2023
The GCC countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, have already announced Eid Al Fitr holidays for public and private sectors. UAE and Saudi Arabia have declared a four-day weekend, while Qatar has announced an 11-day holiday. Oman and Kuwait will observe a five-day weekend.
The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia has called on Muslims to sight the Shawwal crescent on Thursday evening, April 20, and report any sightings to the nearest court or contact center. Muslims with the ability to do so are encouraged to join the committees formed for this purpose and participate in the process of sighting the crescent.
