Eid-ul-Fitr 2024; Sky expected to remain clear in Kashmir, High Chances of Moon Sighting today: Local Meteorological Department

Mudasir Yaqoob

Srinagar, April 9: Local Meteorological Department on Tuesday said that sky in Kashmir is expected to remain clear, significantly increasing the likelihood of sightings of the crescent today.

Director local MeT department Mukhtar Ahmad told ANN News that the sky is expected to remain clear till 9 PM tonight, significantly increasing chances of Shawwal crescent sightings today.

He added the sky is expected to be cloudy after 9 PM.

J&K’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-ul-Islam told ANN News that J&K Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene in Srinagar after Magrib prayers to collect evidence of crescent sightings to ascertain the date of Eid ul Fitr.

ANN News will telecast proceedings of the Committee live on TV to keep its viewers updated with the moon sighting.

If the crescent is sighted today, Eid ul Fitr would fall on Wednesday after the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan followed by the major festival to be celebrated on the first day of Shawwal.

The committee’s Chairman Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam is presiding over the meeting in Srinagar.

It is pertinent to mention here that Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia, Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday, as the Shawwal moon was not sighted in those countries past evening.

Whose Moon Sighting testimony is acceptance:

The Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said that conditions of a testimony by Islamic scholars are kept in mind while accepting testimonies.

He said that the witness must be a Muslim, sane and an adult; a minor’s testimony is not acceptable.
He informed that testimony must be by the person who is God fearing, just and honest.

“The most important factor that must be present in all Shahaadahs (testimonies) is that the witness be a just and honest as commanded by Allah in Qu’ran that take testimony from the just and honest amongst you,” he said.

He further informed that witness must be an eye witness, and not testifying on hearsay.

The practice of spotting new moon with naked eye on the first night of each Islamic month has been a tradition. In keeping with this custom, Muslims across the world wait in anticipation and excitement for the birth of Ramadhan moon and Shawwal moon.

Majority of Muslims drop everything and watch out for the moon from roof tops or open grounds on the 29th day of Shaban and Ramadhan.

Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on movement of the Sun.