Astronomy Center Unveils Impossibility of Eid Al-Fitr Crescent Sighting Today
The International Astronomy Center, via its social media account on the platform "X" (formerly known as Twitter), has issued a statement indicating that the sighting of the crescent moon of Shawwal on Monday is not feasible across all Islamic regions.
This impossibility stems from the moon setting before sunset, coupled with the conjunction occurring after sunset.
However, the Center suggests that the possibility of sighting the crescent moon on Tuesday exists in many areas of the Islamic world without the aid of telescopes or binoculars. This announcement aligns with the consensus among jurists and astronomers who argue against searching for the crescent immediately after sunset on Monday due to the absence of the moon in the sky at that time. This absence is ascertained through scientific calculations well in advance.
The Second Astronomical Conference, attended by jurists and policymakers from various Islamic nations, has endorsed a recommendation stating that if astronomical calculations determine that the conjunction doesn't occur before sunset or if the moon sets before the sun on the twenty-ninth day of the month, there is no need to embark on a crescent search. Jurists assert that this recommendation doesn't contradict the tradition of Prophet Muhammad, as it pertains specifically to situations where conclusive data confirms the absence of the moon. Pursuing the crescent under such circumstances may appear contrary to reason and scientific understanding.
Even prior to the conference, Sheikh Abdullah bin Muni’, a prominent member of the Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia and an advisor to the Royal Court, advocated for such a recommendation. Several Islamic nations that rely on crescent sighting as the basis for commencing the Hijri month have already adopted this approach. The announcement affirms that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, following the sighting of the crescent moon. It reiterates that Monday's observation is unfeasible due to the moon's position before sunset and the timing of the conjunction, while Tuesday presents favorable conditions for crescent sighting in many Islamic regions.
