As the crescent moon marks the end of Ramadan, Muslims worldwide prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a joyous occasion signifying the culmination of the holy month.
Eid al-Fitr signifies the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk, focusing on self-discipline, empathy for the less fortunate, and strengthening their connection with Allah (God). Eid al-Fitr is a reward for successfully completing the fast and a time to express gratitude for Allah’s blessings.
The exact date of Eid-al Fitr 2024 can be a confusing, as it depends on the sighting of the crescent moon.
The answer lies in the Islamic lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar we commonly use, the Islamic calendar is based on moon cycles. This means Islamic months are 29 or 30 days long, and the dates for religious holidays shift slightly each year.
In India, the confirmation of Eid al-Fitr relies on the sighting of the crescent moon signifying the beginning of the month of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
Eid al-Fitr 2024 in India: Know the Date and Time of Moon Sighting
The official confirmation for Eid al-Fitr in India is yet to be announced. The sighting of the crescent moon on the evening of April 9th will determine the celebration date.
Two Possible Scenarios:
- Moon Sighted on April 9th: If the crescent moon is visible on the evening of April 9th, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated in India on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024.
- Moon Not Sighted on April 9th: If the moon remains unseen on April 9th, the wait for Eid al-Fitr continues. In this case, Eid al-Fitr will be observed in India on Thursday, April 11th, 2024.
The Islamic Centre of India Head Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali issued an advisory for Eid-ul-Fitr stating: “If the Moon will be spotted today, then Eid will be celebrated on April 10, otherwise it’ll be on April 11.”
VIDEO | Islamic Centre of India Head Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali has issued an advisory for Eid-ul-Fitr. Here’s what he said congratulating people on the occasion.
“If the Moon will be spotted today, then Eid will be celebrated on April 10, otherwise it’ll be on April… pic.twitter.com/pY0FnuTDab
Eid-al Fitr 2024: Know Which Citiies in India Will Celebrate the Festival on 10th April
The crescent moon of Shawwal was sighted tonight in Kerala, Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir. This means Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated there on Wednesday, April 10th, along with many countries in the Middle East and West.
However, the rest of India, along with Bangladesh and other South Asian nations, will continue fasting for another day. They will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, April 11th.
Key Points:
- Kerala, Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir celebrate Eid on April 10th.
- Rest of India celebrates Eid on April 11th.
- This difference is due to variations in moon sighting.
The night before Eid al-Fitr, known as Chand Raat (Night of the Moon), holds immense significance. Muslims eagerly await the announcement of the moon sighting, often gathering on rooftops or open spaces for a glimpse of the crescent. Here are the moon timings in different parts of India:
|
City |
Timings |
|
Delhi |
7:32 PM |
|
Noida |
6:32 PM |
|
Mumbai |
7:39 PM |
|
Kolkata |
5:34 PM |
|
Bengaluru |
7:13 PM |
|
Chandigarh |
6:27 PM |
|
Ahmedabad |
7:45 PM |
|
Hyderabad |
7:14 PM |
|
Pune |
7:34 PM |
|
Lucknow |
7:15 PM |
|
Agra |
6:19 PM |
|
Patna |
5:49 PM |
Apart from the exact date, the essence of Eid al-Fitr remains the celebration of spiritual growth, community spirit, and generosity.
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