When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 in the UK?
In recent years in Britain, it has become customary for a large number of mosques and Islamic centers to issue a joint statement coinciding with the announcement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia upon sighting the crescent moon of Eid al-Fitr. This statement usually aligns with the moon sighting in Mecca, and this year it is expected to be issued at sunset on Monday, April 8, 2024, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan 1445 AH.
However, there are mosques and religious centers that follow their own countries or jurisprudential references and announce the date of Eid independently, regardless of the announcement from Mecca or Islamic institutions in Europe.
Sighting of the Crescent Moon of Eid al-Fitr 1445
Muslims in Britain need to pay attention to the mosque they pray in or follow its calendar and understand the mechanism it uses to announce the crescent moon.
On the other hand, a clear decision has been issued by the highest jurisprudential authority in Europe, the European Council for Fatwa and Research, which determines the date in advance based on astronomical calculations. This decision is in line with the decisions of the first session of the Unified Hijri Calendar Committee held in Istanbul between November 27-30, 1978.
The International Fiqh Council confirmed this approach in its decision No. (18) during its third conference in 1986, and the conditions adopted by the European Council for Fatwa and Research in its regular nineteenth session between June 30 – July 4, 2009, as well as the results of the scientific symposium held in Paris on February 4-5, 2012, attended by scholars of jurisprudence and astronomy presenting various juristic and astronomical studies.
Additionally, the Global Conference on Determining Lunar Months among Sharia Scholars and Astronomical Calculation, held by the Fiqh Council in the Muslim World League in Mecca from February 11-13, 2012, and the most recent International Conference on Unifying the Hijri Calendar held in Istanbul from May 28-30, 2016, attended by representatives from more than seventy countries including Ministries of Endowments, Fatwa bodies, scholars, jurists, and astronomers, supported several key principles and criteria:
- The original obligation to fast the month of Ramadan is the entry of the month and proving it by a definitive method.
- Astronomical calculation informs us in advance and definitively about the correct timing of the sighting, and it cannot contradict its realization.
- Differences in horizons are not considered; based on the general statement: “Fast for its sighting and break your fast for its sighting” agreed upon, and the saying of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: “Your fast is the day you all fast, and your breaking of the fast is the day you all break the fast, and your sacrifice is the day you all sacrifice.” Reported by Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi and authenticated.
Therefore, the European Council for Fatwa and Research announces that according to the precise astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Shawwal for the year 1445 AH – 2024, the conjunction will occur at 18:21 GMT on Monday, April 8, 2024, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan 1445 AH, which equals 21:21 local time in Mecca.
Accordingly, it will be impossible to sight the crescent moon of Shawwal 1445 AH after sunset on Monday, April 8, 2024, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan 1445 AH, anywhere on Earth with the naked eye or using telescopes and observation devices.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2023 in the UK?
Based on all the previous calculations, the General Secretariat of the European Council for Fatwa and Research announced that the blessed month of Ramadan for the year 1445 AH will be thirty days, God willing.
And the first day of Shawwal (Eid al-Fitr Mubarak) for the year 1445 AH, God willing, will be Wednesday, corresponding to April 10, 2024.
May Allah accept from us and from you all good deeds.
And a blessed Eid to you all.
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