Eid may fall on Sunday for a 5-day break: Astronomer

Published Wednesday, August 15, 2012

By WAM

Astronomical calculations show that Eid Al Fitr will fall on Sunday 19th August, said a noted astronomy expert in the UAE.

Astronomy researcher and General Superviser of the Sharjah Planetarium Ibrahim Jarwan insisted that calculations show the crescent moon marking the beginning of the month of Shawwal will rise on Friday 17th August at 7.54pm. As the moonrise takes place 65 minutes after the sunset on that day, it will be impossible to see it because it will not be there on the horizon.

The ideal time to watch the crescent moon ranges between 10 to 30 minutes after the sunset on a day, explained Al Jarwan.

Thus Saturday will be the 30th day that completes the month of Ramadan, and the crescent will be visible on the horizon 17 minutes after the sunset, he added.

If Eid Al Fitr falls on Sunday, people in the UAE will enjoy a 5-day Eid holiday starting from Friday and ending on Tuesday. Work will, then, resume on Wednesday.

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