Ramadan May last 30 days; Shawwal Moon Unlikely Visible On March 29 Due To Solar Eclipse In Gulf

The crescent moon of Shawwal is impossible to sight on Saturdy, March 29, across all regions of the Arab and Islamic world due to a solar eclipse, according to the astronomers.

Since for the confirmation of the start of Shawwal in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, an actual sighting is required, Ramadan is expected to last 30 days, making Eid Al Fitr to fall on Monday, March 31.

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The Abu Dhabi-based International Astronomical Centre has also confirmed that sighting the Shawwal crescent is impossible from the eastern part of the world and remains unfeasible across the rest of the Arab and Islamic world.

Accordingly, if Shawwal crescent is not sighted on Saturday March 29, Ramadan will be 30 days long and Eid Al Fitr will be observed on Monday, March 31. However, if the crescent was spotted, Eid Al Fitr will fall on March 30.

However, Saudi Supreme Court has urged Muslims across the Kingdom to oberserve the sky for the Shawwal crescent moon on March 29, corresponding to the 29th of the Ramadan, according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar.  The court encouraged people to report the observations to the nearest court or seek help from local centers in doing so.

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The announcement follows the Supreme Court’s earlier confirmation that March 1, marked the beginning of Ramadan.