Pakistan's sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon prompted the announcement that the Eid festival will take place on April 10.
This announcement comes as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and several Gulf nations have declared that Eid al-Fitr will also be celebrated on the same date. The timing of Eid festivities hinges on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon, a tradition deeply rooted in Islamic culture.
While the crescent moon was not sighted in several Indian cities, including Delhi, Hyderabad, and Lucknow, leading to the decision to observe Eid on April 11 in those areas, a few regions will mark the occasion on April 10. Kerala, Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir have confirmed the sighting of the Shawwal crescent on April 9, prompting them to celebrate Eid a day earlier.
In Lucknow, the Markazi Chand Committee reported the absence of the Shawwal crescent moon on Tuesday, leading to the decision to celebrate Eid on April 11. Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali emphasized the importance of charity and urged Muslims not to offer prayers on roads but rather to donate to those in need.
Meanwhile, Muslims in Bangladesh will continue fasting as they await Eid al-Fitr, scheduled to be celebrated on Thursday, April 11. In contrast, the Shawwal crescent moon was sighted in Karachi on April 9, prompting Pakistan to celebrate Eid on Wednesday.
Eid al-Fitr holds significant spiritual importance as it marks the end of the month-long Ramadan fasting period and the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The tradition of moon sighting, rooted in the practices of Prophet Muhammad, signifies the start of a new month and the beginning of a fresh spiritual journey. This observance is crucial in determining the end of Ramadan and the commencement of Eid celebrations, resulting in variations in celebration dates across different regions.
