Egyptian Fatwa Announces End of Ramadan and First Day of Eid al-Fitr

The Egyptian Fatwa House announced yesterday, Sunday, the date for the sighting of the moon for the month of Shawwal in the year 1445, to determine the date of Eid al-Fitr and the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan, which began last Monday. Regarding the moon sighting for Shawwal 1445, the Fatwa House stated that they will verify the sighting on Monday, the 29th of Ramadan, corresponding to Monday, April 8, 2024. If the crescent is sighted, the first day of Eid al-Fitr (the first of Shawwal) will be Tuesday, April 9, 2024. However, if the house announces that the sighting was not confirmed, Ramadan will complete 30 days, and thus the first day of Eid al-Fitr will be Wednesday, April 10. Astronomical calculations indicate that Ramadan this year will last for 30 days, suggesting that the start of Shawwal and the first day of Eid al-Fitr will be Wednesday, April 10, according to astronomical estimates, although these dates depend on the sighting of the moon at the beginning of each month in the lunar calendar. It is noted that most Arab and Islamic countries rely on astronomical observatories to determine the sighting of the moon.