The Significance of Moon Sightings in Islam
The Astronomical New Moon Conjunction
The Astronomical New Moon conjunction is the moment when the Sun and Moon are at the same celestial longitude. This event will occur on Tuesday, December 24, 2030, at 17:32 Universal Time (UTC). On that day, the elongation, which is the angular distance between the Sun and Moon, will be more than 8 degrees.
The First Day of Eid al-Fitr
The first day of Eid al-Fitr, the celebration that marks the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon. This marks the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Reviving the Sunnah of Moon Sighting
Some Muslims believe that the practice of moon sighting, known as "rukyah al-hilal," should be revived on a monthly basis, especially for Ramadan and Eid. They argue that this practice helps to unite Muslims and fosters a sense of community.
Eid-ul-Fitr 2024 Moon Sighting Updates
In anticipation of Eid-ul-Fitr 2024, Muslims in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Qatar, and others, are preparing to sight the Shawwal crescent. A member of the moon sighting committee, using a telescope, will observe the moon ahead of Ramadan to mark the beginning of the holy month.
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