New Delhi: Muslims all around the world are all set to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr which is the first day of the 10th Islamic month of Shawwal. The day marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan during which they observe fast from sunrise to sunset. During this 30-day period, Muslims offer prayers and wish for their family’s good health. The date and time of Eid-ul-Fitr depend on the sighting of the crescent moon in the sky.
What is ‘Chand Raat’?                   Â
For the uninitiated, the eve of Eid ul-Fitr is known as Chand Raat. It is the night that culminates the 30 Rozas or the month-long month of Ramzan.
Chand Raat is the time when the families visit markets to buy sweets and do Eid shopping. In many places, the markets are open throughout the night for the enthusiastic shoppers but due to the coronavirus outbreak, the outdoor activities have been restricted.
The sighting of the crescent moon marks the end of Ramzan month and arrival of the Eid festival.
While the West culturally follows the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar is lunar which means it is based on the sighting of the crescent moon. Every year, Eid-ul-Fitr occurs approximately 10-11 days earlier depending on when the crescent moon is sighted since lunar months are shorter than solar months and so it varies from country to country by about a day.
Eid-ul-Fitr 2021 Moon Sighting: Date
The Shawwal moon is first sighted in Saudi Arabia which confirms the date of the festival in other countries. The date of Eid, hence, differs from country to country. In Saudi Arabia, the crescent moon has not been sighted on the evening of Tuesday (May 11) which was the 29th day of Ramadan. Therefore, the month will be 30 days long and the moon for Shawwal will be sighted on the evening of Wednesday (May 12). Eid will be celebrated in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, 13 May.
In India, the new moon is sighted generally a day after Saudi Arabia, accordingly, Eid is expected to be celebrated on Friday, 14 May.
