The crescent moon for Shawwal is confirmed to be unobservable on March 29, leading to Eid Al Fitr likely being celebrated on March 31. Some regions may declare Eid on March 30 based on early conjunction sightings. A partial solar eclipse on March 29 supports these astronomical assertions, discouraging false moon sighting reports.
The International Astronomy Centre announced that observing the crescent moon of Shawwal on Saturday, March 29, will be unfeasible across the Arab and Islamic world. This is because the moon will set before the sun, and the conjunction is expected to occur after sunset. Consequently, nations that depend on actual moon sighting for marking Shawwal will likely extend Ramadan to 30 days, resulting in Eid Al Fitr on Monday, March 31.
In contrast, certain regions may declare Eid on Sunday, March 30, if the moon conjunction occurs before sunset, allowing for visibility after sunset. Moreover, a partial solar eclipse will be observable at noon on Saturday in parts of the western Arab world, including Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This occurrence provides substantial evidence reinforcing that the crescent moon cannot be sighted at that time.
Authorities have cautioned against misleading claims regarding crescent sightings on March 29, emphasizing that such assertions contradict established astronomical standards. Earlier forecasts from the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) indicated that the Shawwal moon would be visible on March 30, leading to the likely conclusion that Eid ul-Fitr will occur on March 31, 2025. Consequently, it is anticipated that a majority of the Islamic world will celebrate Eid on this date.
In summary, the crescent moon for Shawwal is unlikely to be observable on March 29, pushing Eid celebrations to March 31 for most Islamic countries. Some regions might choose to observe Eid on March 30 based on specific moon sighting criteria, yet this depends on astronomical conditions. The partial solar eclipse further supports the visibility claims, with warnings against any false sightings.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
