Shawwal Moon

Muslims all around the world celebrate the start of the Shawwal month as it marks the end of the month-long fasting of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr festival. The Shawwal Moon is an important celestial event in the Islamic calendar as it indicates the beginning of the new month. The sighting of the new moon or crescent is a traditional practice among Muslims to mark the beginning of the 10^th month in the Islamic calendar.

Observing the New Moon or Crescent

The traditional method of observing the new moon or crescent is done with the naked eye or telescopes. This is typically done on the 29th day of the preceding month. If the new moon is sighted, then the first day of the new month begins the next day. If not, the current month extends to 30 days, and the new month begins the day after.

The Shawwal Moon’s Appearance

The Shawwal Moon appears just a few hours after the astronomical New Moon. During the New Moon, the Earth’s natural satellite gets lost in the Sun’s glare and becomes completely invisible. But as it creeps from between the Sun and Earth, its limb becomes visible. Shawwal Moon appears when the moon emerges briefly in the west just after the sunset.

Celebrations Around the World

The start of Shawwal may differ between various Muslim communities and countries. This year, the moon was sighted in the UAE and Saudi Arabia on April 20, so several nations like the United Kingdom, Qatar, and the United States, celebrated Eid al-Fitr on April 21. However, few Muslim nations, like Indonesia and Pakistan did not spot the crescent moon on April 20. Hence, they will celebrate the first day of Eid on 22^nd April.

Month: Current Affairs – April, 2023

Category: Art & Culture Current Affairs