Eid al-Fitr 2023 LIVE updates: India, Saudi Arabia to sight Eid moon ...

Muslims worldwide are getting ready to celebrate Eid al-Fitr 2023, as the month-long fasting of Ramadan draws to a close. The date of the Eid varies, depending on the sighting of the moon, and this year, it is expected to begin on Saturday, April 22. 

Lunar months are either 29 or 30 days long, so Muslims typically have to wait until the night before Eid to confirm its date. For countries that started Ramadan on March 24, local moon sighters will scan the horizon after sunset on Friday, April 21, to search for the crescent moon. 

If the new moon is visible (called Chaand Raat), then Eid will be celebrated the following day. Otherwise, Muslims will fast for one more day to complete the 30-day month. The announcement of the Eid is made via television, radio stations and mosques once the sighting of the moon has been confirmed.

Check LIVE updates here.

20 Apr 2023, 04:42:30 PM IST

North African country, Morocco, will celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr on April 22,2023. Moroccan astronomer Hicham Aissaoui had earlier frecasted the mismatch in its date of Eid celebration with that of Saudi Arabia and other countries even before the start of Ramadan. Notably, this will be the first time in five years, when Morocco will complete a full month of 30 days fasting during Ramadan.

20 Apr 2023, 04:30:17 PM IST

In India, Eid, which marks the completion of Ramazan fasting, will celebrated either on Friday or on Saturday, based on the moon sighting. In Kashmir, the beginning of the joyous festival is decided by the grand mufti of the state. The mufti has the authority to announce the start of festival based on the sighting of the new moon. The timing of moon sighting is based on several factors including moon's position and the prevailing weather conditions. As per Kashmir's official website, Eid will be celebrated on April 22. (Read full report here)

20 Apr 2023, 04:21:04 PM IST

Unlike, other regions, Eid-ul-Fitr in Kerala is observed not on the day when moon is visible in the state, but on the day of moon sighting in Saudi Arabia. 

According to the official website of Kerala government, Eid-Ul-Fitr will be celebrated on 21 April.

Kerala's local moon sighting committee adhere to the traditional islamic calendar and its practice of waiting for the actual sighting of the moon. It is the only Indian state where Eid-ul-Fitr date is determined by the moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

20 Apr 2023, 04:04:33 PM IST

In India, the celebration of Eid-ul-Fitra might vary from other countries due to the visibility of the moon. The festival of rejoicing, mercy, adn the renewal of one's dedication to serving others will be celebrated across India either on Friday or Saturday, based on the sighting of the crescent moon.

20 Apr 2023, 04:00:26 PM IST

Muslims celebrating Eid across gulf region, including Qatar, will witness the Shawwal crescent moon on Thursday, April 20. In Qatar, the Crescent Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) will meet immediately after the sunset prayer on Thursday. The Committee has also called on all Muslims living in the country to sight the Shawwal crescent on Thursday.

20 Apr 2023, 02:33:13 PM IST

Amid preparations of Eid celebrations across the world and in India, Lieutenant Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan hosted an Iftar party at Raj Nivas in the Union Territory on Wednesday.

In his tweet, the LG extended his wishes to all the people of the Islamic community and called for the promotion of brotherhood.

"Happy to host the 'IFTAR' celebration at Raj Nivas, Puducherry. Alongside Honb CM, Speaker, Ministers, MLAs, Officials, Wakf Board members, Immam & dignitaries from IslamicCommunity & political party leaders. On this occasion let's promote the message of the Brotherhood," Puducherry Lt Governor tweeted.

The Iftar party was joined by the UT's CM N Rangasamy, Speakerr R Selvam, Ministers, legislators, of All India NR Congress (AINRC), Waqf Board members, dignitaries from Islamic Community etc.

During Ramzan, people have two main meals, called as the ‘suhoor’ or sehri before dawn and the ‘iftar’ after sunset.

20 Apr 2023, 01:50:24 PM IST

Around 20,700 mosques and outdoor prayer areas across Saudi Arabia have been prepared and equipped with safety measures for the Eid al-Fitr prayer.

20 Apr 2023, 12:58:52 PM IST

Muslims in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, United Kingdom and other countries in the Middle East and West will gear up to sight the crescent moon on April 20 evening. Read more.

20 Apr 2023, 12:07:17 PM IST

The tentative date for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr in 2023 is April 22. If the sighting of the first moon of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, is not confirmed on April 22, then the festival will be observed on April 23.

20 Apr 2023, 12:07:17 PM IST

The Australian Fatwa Council has announced that the first day of Eid al-Fitr in Australia will be observed on April 22, based on astronomical calculations. Since the crescent moon is expected to be invisible on April 20 evening, the decision was taken. 

20 Apr 2023, 12:07:17 PM IST

Eid al-Fitr is popularly known as “Meethi Eid" when Muslims break their fast. The preparation of sweet dishes is a significant part of this festival. Muslims distribute sweet dishes like Sheer Korma and Sevaiyan. 

20 Apr 2023, 12:07:17 PM IST

At the end of the last day of Ramadan, Chaand Raat marks a celebratory time where families and friends gather in open areas to spot the new moon. Once the new moon is sighted, people exchange greetings by saying “Chaand Raat Mubarak" and celebrate Eid on the following day.