This week Ramadan 2021 comes to an end, but the exact date depends on the sighting of the crescent moon.
Around 1.6billion Muslims around the world have been observing Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
The Eid al-Fitr celebration, also known as Eid ul-Fitr, brings the month where people fast between dawn and sunset to a close.
Eid, which means “festival” or “feast” is meant to be a day of celebrations where people break the fast, spend time with family and friends, and pray.
Like Ramadan, the date of Eid al-Fitr is dependent on the sighting of the moon, which can’t be predicted precisely.
Millions of Muslims will now be wondering what date Eid 2021 falls on. Here is everything you need to know?
When is Eid al-Fitr?
Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr starts the day after the new crescent moon has been sighted.
The sighting of the moon marks the end of Ramadan, and the start of the new month of Shawwal, the 10th of the Islamic calendar.
This year Eid will be marked on either Wednesday, May 12 or Thursday, May 13, depending on the sighting of the new moon. The date changes every year because it follows the lunar calendar.
The new moon has not yet been spotted, but Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has urged citizens to look for the moon on the evening of Tuesday, May 11, which is the 29th day of Ramadan.
However, Jeddah Astronomical Association has reportedly said it is most likely the Shawwal moon will be sighted on Wednesday, May 12.
(Image: Getty Images)
If this is the case, Eid al-Fitr will fall on Thursday, May 13.
According to Timeanddate.com, the New Moon will emerge tonight at 7.59pm in the UK.
The waxing crescent follows the day after as expected, on May 12.
UK astronomers at government agency HM Nautical Almanac Office also said stargazers should be able to see the new moon on May 12 from parts of the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia.
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This would also indicate that Eid is likely to start from May 13, which is in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s Umm al-Qura Calendar of calculated dates.
If this is the case, most Muslims will continue to fast throughout the daylight hours of May 12, with the breaking of the final day of fasting signalling the beginning of Eid.
Some countries may celebrate Eid on different days depending on the sighting of the moon in their country. Other places go by when the crescent moon has been sighted in places like Saudi Arabia or Morocco.
What is Eid al-Fitr?
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Eid al-Fitr is the breaking of the final fast of Ramadan, celebrating a month long fasting period from dawn to dusk.
Normally, Eid would see the gathering of families and friends to celebrate the start of Eid.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, large gatherings are likely to be muted.
Muslims usually congregate at mosques to pray and wish each other “Eid Mubarak”, or a “Blessed Eid”.
Over the next couple of days people visit friends and family, exchange gifts and eat food.
As well as indulging in food, Muslims also donate to charity.