By MD HUMAIDAN | ARAB NEWS
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has called on Muslims in the Kingdom to look for the new moon of Shawwal on the evening of Monday, which is the 29th day of Ramadan (Aug. 29) and report the matter to the nearest court if any one sights the new moon either by the naked eye or with help of lenses.
The court directed that the lookers for moon join the committee for the purpose in each region.
The end of fasting and the day of Eid Al-Fitr are decided by the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
But astronomers, who differed on the start of the holy month of Ramadan based on astronomical calculations, are at it again. They are now debating whether Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month, will fall on Tuesday or Wednesday. The controversy over the start of Ramadan is also driving the debate.
Categories: Astronomy, Islam, Saudi Arabia