GCC countries declare Eid Al-Fitr holidays amid debate over Moon sightings

TDT | Manama                                                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

The declaration of Eid Al Fitr holidays in several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries came yesterday amid ongoing debates over the possible sighting of the crescent moon on Thursday or Friday.

Sparking this debate was a cautionary statement from the International Astronomy Centre, which warned that a rare hybrid solar eclipse could make it difficult to see the crescent with the naked eye on Thursday.

Despite this, countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait have stepped ahead, declaring holidays for their public and private sector employees. Although some parts of West Africa were exempted from the prediction, the Centre had said that observing the crescent would require exceptional weather conditions, a professional observer, and an accurate telescope.

Regardless of the situation, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs here has called on people with testimony or news of sighting the crescent to contact the Sharia Vision Authority, while Saudi Arabia’s authority has also appealed to people to report sightings to the nearest court.

Astronomers had also said that it is not possible to sight the crescent because of a super-rare hybrid solar eclipse, which will include both a total eclipse and an annular eclipse, also known as a “ring of fire” effect.

”Since the Moon is close to the Earth, it completely obscures the Sun, and therefore will not be visible in the sky all night,” astronomers said. Solar eclipses occur when the Sun, the Moon, and Earth line up, either fully or partially.

Meanwhile, Dr Muhammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the International Astronomy Center, announced that Friday, April 21, will be the first day of Eid Al-Fitr 2023 in most Arab countries, except for a few, such as Morocco and Oman, where Eid is expected to be on Saturday.

The Australian Fatwa Council also said that Saturday will be the first day of Eid al-Fitr in the country, as astronomical calculations confirm that it is not possible to see the crescent of the month of Shawwal on Thursday evening, according to the International Astronomy Centre.

Eid holidays

In UAE, private sector employees, effective yesterday, until Sunday, will enjoy a four-day weekend for Eid. Saudi Arabia also announced a four-day weekend. Qatar has declared an 11-day holiday starting from Wednesday with employees returning to work on April 30, 2023.

Oman and Kuwait will have a five-day weekend, starting on April 20 and April 21, respectively. Employees in Oman will resume work on April 25, while those in Kuwait will return to work on April 26.