We are bidding farewell to the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of the Quran, the month of fasting, the month of night prayers, the month of forgiveness, the month of goodness and the month of generosity. Eid (al-Fitr) or breaking fast (1st day of Shawwal) comes after finishing the month of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated on May 24th, 2020 in most places around the world.

North America

According to the Fiqh Council of North America Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, May 24, 2020.

The Fiqh Council of North America recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of Lunar months including the months of Ramadan and Shawwal. FCNA uses the criteria of European Council of Fatwa and Research (ECFR), which are that somewhere on the globe, at the sunset, the elongation should be at least 8 degrees and moon should be at least 5 degrees above horizon. If these conditions are met, the new crescent will be visible somewhere on earth. Hence the new lunar month will start the next day, otherwise it will start on the day following next day.

On the basis of this method the dates of Eidul Fitr for the year 1440 AH are established as follows:

Eid ul-Fitr 1441 AH:

The Astronomical New Moon is on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 17:40 Universal Time. On that day there is no place on earth where at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore Shawwal 1441 cannot start the next day. Hence first day of Shawwal is on Sunday, May 24, 2020, insha’Allah.

( Source: Fiqh Council of North America )

Europe

According to European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, May 24, 2020.

For the moon of Shawwal Hilal for the year 1441 AH - 2020 AD

The accurate astronomical calculations for the crescent moon of Shawwal for the year 1441 AH confirm that the conjugation will be at 17:39 according to UTC (Greenwich Mean Time) from Friday, 22 May 2020 AD corresponding to 29 Ramadan 1441 AH, which corresponds to 20:39 local time in Mecca Al Mukarramah.

Therefore, it is impossible to see the crescent after sunset on Friday, and it can be seen on Saturday, May 23 in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and most of Europe, and thus the month of Ramadan will be thirty full days. Accordingly the first of Shawwal (Eid Al-Fitr) will be on 24th of May 2020, insha'Allah.

( Source: European Council for Fatwa and Research )

Middle East & Asia

Eid Al-Fitr will begin on Sunday May 24, authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced.

The UAE, Iraq, Qatar and Jordan also announced the first day of the Eid holiday will be Sunday May 24.

According to the Astronomy Centre, Indonesia and Malaysia officially confirmed Sunday (May 24) as first day of Eid Al Fitr.

According to reports, Shawwal moon was not sighted in Turkey on Friday after which the country announced May 24 (Sunday) as the first day of Eid Al Fitr.

Eid Al-Fitr holiday will begin in Egypt on Sunday (May 24), Dar El-Iftaa, the country's institution for religious edicts.

( Source: Arab News | Gulf News | Ahram Online )

Australia

According to Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, May 24, 2020.

After consulting members of the Australian Fatwa Council and further inquiries to the local and global observatories, it has been confirmed that the new moon of the Month of Shawwal will set before sunset on Friday 22nd of May 2020, which is the 29th of Ramadan 1441 by 13 minutes, thus, the ability to sight the moon on that day in Australia after sunset is impossible.

Therefore: Saturday, 23rd of May 2020, will be the last day of the Month of Ramadan 1441AH, & The first day of the Month of Shawwal 1441AH and the Day of Eid Al-Fitr will be Sunday, 24th of May 2020.

( Source: Australian National Imams Council )

Worldwide Moon Sighting for Shawwal 1440

The Astronomical New Moon (conjunction) is on May 22, 2020 (Friday) at 17:38 UT. On that day, the moon can not be seen any where in the world. On May 23, it may be seen in Africa and Canada with difficulty, and in USA and South America easily. On May 24, the moon can be seen in almost the whole world (Click here to see visibility curves and the earliest authentic moon sighting reports around the world as information is received).

( Source: Moonsighting )

Please consult your local Islamic Center and/or Mosque to determine when they will be celebrating Eid Al-Fitr.