Muslims around the world observe Ramzan and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr to mark the end of the holy month. But for many reasons, the day on which Eid is celebrated differs region-wise as well as sect-wise.
The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon (lunar calendar). So Muslims keep a track of moon-sightings, not just for Ramzan, but for every month of the lunar calendar. Ramzan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. You might’ve heard of some of the other months (because holidays):
These months are either 28, 29 or 30 days long. Never 31, like the Gregorian calendar.
Now coming to the moon sightings.
The Director of Nehru Science Centre, Arvind Paranjpye, states, “If the moon is at a 7 degree angle, then it will be seen with the naked eye”.
Because there are only 30 days in the calendar, even if the moon is not sighted, the new month would start the next day.
There’s one more ruling factor. This one is different for the Sunni and Shia community. The last word is of the King (for Sunnis) and Ayatollahs (for Shias) of the time.
But typically, in countries like Pakistan and India, moon sightings determine Eid ka chand.
The sun’s light does not fall on the moon, after 27 days and 3 hours later when it reaches a certain angle. So it becomes difficult to spot it. And 2.5 days after this, the moon is seen distinctly, once again. That’s the new crescent moon.
There are a number of factors considered by Islamic scholars, for the sake of uniformity in the “sightings”. There are geographical conditions to this.
If the moon is sighted in the East, then it would most likely be sighted in the West, provided the skies are clear.
So, for example, if the moon is sighted in Kolkata then whether it’s seen in Patna or not, Eid would be declared in both regions.
But there are a few conditions drawn up by Islamic clerics.
Islamic scholar, Mustafa Ali Khan says, “If the moon is seen in Delhi, it’s enough for Lucknow to declare Eid. It’s at a distance of merely 450 km. So distance is quite important”.
Along the same longitude, moon-sighting can be determined for the cities. For example, if the moon is sighted in Chennai then it will likely be sighted in Lucknow as well. Religious scholars would agree on this. So if the moon is seen in Kerala, or Mumbai, or Vishakhapatnam, or Kochi – Eid would be declared.
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