Eid ul-Fitr: When to spot the crescent moon, it's significance, celebrations in India

Eid ul Fitr at Jama Masjid. (File photo)

Eid ul-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Breaking the Fast, is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from dawn until dusk. In India, Eid ul Fitr is celebrated with great enthusiasm and is a time for family gatherings, feasting, and exchanging gifts.

The date of Eid ul-Fitr varies each year, as it is based on the sighting of the new moon. However, it usually falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

The sighting of the crescent moon is crucial to determining the precise date of this festival. The International Astronomy Center has announced that Islamic countries are expected to sight the crescent of Shawwal on Thursday, April 20. This sighting will likely mark the end of Ramadan, as reported by Gulf News. However, it is possible that the crescent moon may not be visible with the naked eye or a telescope from all parts of Asia and Australia. Some Islamic countries may be able to sight it, while others may not.

If the crescent moon is sighted on Friday, then Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on April 22, which falls on a Saturday. This uncertainty in the moon sighting creates a sense of anticipation and excitement among Muslims around the world, who eagerly await news of the sighting.

The moon sighting is a significant event in Islamic culture, and it has been so for centuries. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad would wait eagerly for news of the sighting of the crescent moon, as it marked the start of the new month. The sighting of the crescent moon also signifies the beginning of a new spiritual journey for Muslims, as they end their month-long fast and begin a new year in the Islamic calendar.

In some countries, the sighting of the crescent moon is done through traditional methods, where a group of people would climb to a high point and scan the horizon for the first glimpse of the crescent moon. In other countries, advanced technology is used to track the moon's movements and predict its visibility.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered the holiest month of the year for Muslims. It is during this month that the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. During Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk. The fast is broken every evening with a meal called iftar.

Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, which follows the month of Ramadan. The day starts with a special prayer called Eid prayer, which is held in mosques or open fields. Men, women, and children dress up in new clothes for the occasion and offer sweets and gifts to one another.

In India, the festival is celebrated across the country, but the largest celebrations take place in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. The night before Eid, markets are flooded with people buying new clothes, shoes, and gifts for their loved ones.

What the Eid-ul-Fitr tradition is

On the day of Eid, Muslims wake up early, take a bath, and wear new clothes. They then head to the mosque to offer Eid prayers. After the prayer, people exchange greetings and embrace each other. It is customary to offer sweets, especially a sweet called seviyan, to friends and family.

The rest of the day is spent visiting friends and family, feasting on delicious food, and enjoying the festivities. People decorate their homes with lights and colourful banners, and children are given gifts and money by elders.