Eid Al-Fitr Moon Sighting: Which Countries Observe Tonight?
Muslim communities in Saudi Arabia and other countries will search for the Shawwal crescent this Wednesday evening. Authorities and observatories are preparing for the Eid Al-Fitr moon sighting across the region.
Official calls and local preparations
Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court urged residents to observe the moon on Wednesday, the 29th of Ramadan. The call aims to determine whether Eid will fall on Thursday or Friday.
Riyadh Municipality readied moon-sighting stations in Tamir, Shaqra and Al-Hariq. Teams and equipment were assembled for observational duties.
Which countries will observe tonight
Several Gulf and Levant states plan to attempt sighting after sunset. The list includes Saudi Arabia and nearby Arab states.
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Yemen
- Palestine
- Lebanon
- Sudan
- Parts of Iraq
For Eid Al-Fitr moon sighting discussions, the key public question remains which countries observe tonight. Announcements from local courts and mosques will follow.
Countries set to observe on Thursday
Other states will attempt sighting the following day. Their calendars currently list Thursday as the 29th of Ramadan.
- Turkey
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Brunei
- Singapore
- India
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- Iran
- Parts of Iraq
- Oman
- Jordan
- Syria
- Egypt
- Libya
- Tunisia
- Algeria
- Morocco
- Mauritania
Astronomical guidance and expected outcomes
The International Astronomical Center, based in the UAE, posted guidance on social media. It said sighting Wednesday is impossible in many locations.
Calculations show the moon will set before the sun and conjunction occurs after sunset. Therefore, the center advised that affected countries should complete thirty days of Ramadan.
Those states would then mark Eid on Friday. For countries observing on Thursday, the center said sighting is impossible in the far east of the Muslim world.
It added that Thursday observations will be difficult in central regions. Final dates will depend on local sighting reports and official religious authorities.
Where to find updates
Religious courts and municipal observatories will issue official announcements. Filmogaz.com will publish updates as confirmations arrive from each country.
