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According to a prediction by the International Astronomy Centre, Eid al-Fitr 2023 is likely to fall on Saturday, April 22. However, confirmation of the exact date can only be made once the moon has been sighted. Muslim countries across the world will be training their telescopes toward the sky on Thursday, April 20, to spot the beginning of the month of Shawal.
The International Astronomy Centre has stated on social media that any such sighting with the naked eye or a telescope will be a difficult task in most Arab and Islamic countries with the exception of West Africa. According to Mohamed Shokat Odeh, director of the International Astronomy Cente, conditions such as “a precise telescope, professional monitoring, and exceptional weather conditions” will be necessary for any sighting to be possible.
هل العيد الجمعة أم السبت؟
المختصر حول موعد عيد الفطر 1444 هـ
ستتحرى دول العالم الإسلامي هلال شهر شوال (عيد الفطر 1444 هـ) يوم الخميس 20 إبريل/نيسان 2023م.
رؤية الهلال يوم الخميس غير ممكنة بالعين المجردة من أي مكان في العالم العربي والإسلامي.
رؤية الهلال يوم الخميس غير ممكنة… pic.twitter.com/lpb6kjntoK
— مركز الفلك الدولي (@AstronomyCenter) April 16, 2023
The current predictions of the centre are based on astronomical information and it is important to know that based on regional criteria, Eid al-Fitr could be announced on different days in different countries. In the UAE, the celebration could fall either on Friday or Saturday but this will only be confirmed once the moon sighting committee has met on Thursday.
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