PLAINFIELD, Indiana – Muslims in North America will observe Eidul Fitr on Sunday, June 25, following an official announcement by the Fiqh Council of North America.
Unlike the many Muslim countries that depend on sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye, the FCNA uses astronomical calculations.
On its website, the FCNA states that it “recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of Lunar months including the months of Ramadan and Shawal.”
The Council stated that “The Astronomical New Moon is on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 2:33 Universal Time. On that day, somewhere close to South Africa at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore, first day of Shawwal 1438 is on Sunday, June 25, 2017, insha’Allah.”
In Saudi Arabia, depending on the information given by moon sighters and the ensuing decision of the Judicial High Court, Eid al-Fitr will begin on either June 25 or 26.
