A Saudi scholar and advisor to the Royal Court predicts that Ramadan will end on Wednesday May 12th and the Eid Al-Fitr will begin on Thursday May 13th, according to a report in Gulf News.
The precise ending of the 30 days-long Ramadan for the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims will depend on the sighting of the youngest crescent Moon. According to reports, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on all Muslims throughout the Kingdom to sight the crescent of Shawwal on Tuesday evening.
As a slim crescent Moon becomes visible from Mecca—either on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 or on Thursday, May 13, 2021—the three-day feasting festival of Eid al-Fitr (meaning “festival of breaking the fast”) can begin, as Forbes notes in an explainer.
Observers look for the Ramadan Crescent in Saudi Arabia.
“Ramadan 1442 H has started on Tuesday, April 13, and it will last 30 days (until Wednesday, May 12), because the birth of [the moon of] Shawwal is on Tuesday at 9.59pm, and the sun on Tuesday sets at 6.51pm, while the moon sets, 13 minutes earlier, at 6.38pm,” Al Manea said.
As Forbes reports, in its wake will come not only a “Blood Moon” supermoon towards the end of May, but also a “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse in early June.
The Eid is a time of celebration – but also of generous charity – for followers of Islam around the world. Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan, every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs must pay Zakat Al-Fitr (fitrana), according to islamic-relief.org. Zakat al-Fitr can be paid during Ramadan, before Eid al-Fitr prayers at the latest, so that the poor can enjoy the day of Eid.
Events and other celebrations marking the conclusion of Ramadan will take place around the world. In the UAE, for example two new shows will launch in Downtown Dubai this week in time for Eid Al Fitr.
Last year, with the threat of the Coronavirus raging across the world, celebrations were muted and Eid Al-Fitr gatherings were smaller and took place in private.
