The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. ARCHIVE

Eid Al Fitr in the UAE is expected to begin on Friday (March 20), according to astronomical calculations by the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology (SAASST). The academy said its observatory’s calculations show that the Shawwal crescent moon will likely not be visible on Wednesday (March 18), which corresponds to the 29th day of Ramadan. Astronomers explained that the moon will set before sunset that evening, making it impossible to see the crescent in the western sky. As a result, Ramadan is expected to complete a full 30 days, placing the first day of Shawwal and Eid Al Fitr on Friday (March 20). According to SAASST, the moon’s conjunction over Sharjah will occur at 4:24am UAE time on Thursday (March 19). By sunset that day, the moon will be just over 14 hours old and positioned about 6.5 degrees away from the sun, with an altitude of roughly six degrees above the western horizon. Under such conditions, astronomers said the crescent would be extremely difficult to observe. “These conditions make the crescent moon impossible to see with the naked eye and very difficult even with telescopes,” according to the observatory. The moon would remain above the horizon for around 29 minutes after sunset, which astronomers said is still insufficient for reliable visibility. SAASST noted that in some countries, the crescent may still be spotted because of more favourable geographic positions. In those locations, observers could possibly detect the moon either with telescopes or with the naked eye. Countries that rely strictly on confirmed moon sightings may therefore declare Eid Al Fitr on different dates. Astronomers also pointed out that nations that began Ramadan on Thursday (February 19), instead of Wednesday as in the UAE, may observe Eid a day later on Saturday. Final confirmation of Eid Al Fitr in the UAE will still depend on official moon-sighting announcements by authorities. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page