Update: Morocco has sighted the moon. Click here for the latest update.
Morocco has confirmed when it will be able to sight the moon for Eid ul-Fitr 2024. Countries that searched for the crescent moon on Monday, April 8, but failed to spot it, have already announced their Eid date.
This means they had to extend their Ramadan fasting by one more day before breaking the fast with Eid on April 10, marking the beginning of Shawwal.
Meanwhile, other nations, including Morocco, are attempting to sight the moon on Tuesday, April 9. Having started its Ramadan on March 12, Morocco has now reached the 29th day when it must try to spot the slim crescent in the evening skies.
READ MORE: ‘Modest’ Matalan dress perfect for Eid ul-Fitr 2024 is just £19
The reports from Morocco – Britain’s nearest Islamic country – will be used by moonsighting committees in the UK if they aren’t able to get a glimpse of the crescent locally.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Morocco has announced that the moonsighting for Eid ul-Fitr will be taking place on Tuesday. In a statement, the ministry asked its religious committee and representatives to observe the moon for Shawwal, marking the conclusion of Ramadan, reports Birmingham Live.
Astronomers have forecasted that the moon should easily be seen and Eid will be on Wednesday, April 10.
Various teams across Morocco will send in reports of moon visibility. The ministry will then assess all the information and make an official announcement later this evening.
UK astronomers from HM Almanac Office, a Government agency providing data to religious groups, armed forces, and calendar manufacturers, issued a promising update by saying the moon should be clearly seen from North Africa. It said: “Easy sightings [on Tuesday, April 9] should be possible from western Asia, Europe including the British Isles, the Arabian Peninsula, the northern half of Africa, the Americas except the southern half of South America and the eastern PacificOcean region.”
Morocco is among the locations included in that geographical visibility zone. In Rabat, Morocco, sunset on April 9 is at 6.55pm local time and moonset at 8.04pm, so moonsightings will take place between those times.
Morocco is one hour behind the UK, which moved forward to British Summer Time on March 31. It’s thought that a Morocco announcement will come sometime after 7.30pm, which would be 8.30pm UK time.
Weather conditions for spotting the crescent are relatively favourable though there is some cloud across parts of the country. If the moon isn’t seen in Morocco, then Ramadan will go on another day and Eid will be on Thursday, April 11.
Where to celebrate Eid in London
In London, the biggest Eid al-Fitr festival will take place at both Westfield sites in White City and Stratford. It will be from April 12 to 14 in West London and April 19 to 21 in East London.
Meanwhile, returning for its 19th year, London’s free annual festival will once more fill Trafalgar Square. This year’s celebration is set to take place on Saturday, April 20th, running from midday until 6pm.
