Islamic world to celebrate Eid together this year: ISPA

[Naveed Yaseen]

According to the Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics (ISPA), University of Karachi, first Shawwal 1430 would fall on Monday, 21st September.

In a release issued here on Thursday, it was stated that the new moon would take place on 19th September and would only be visible in Southern part of Africa and in Southern America.

Crescent will set in Makkah after sunset for only 16.5 minutes and 3.3 degrees above horizon. In these conditions, it is impossible to see the crescent in Makkah on 19th September. The moon will set within 11 minutes of sunset in Karachi and thus cannot be seen on Saturday. Similarly the crescent would not be visible in all Islamic countries, Australia, Far East, Asia, Europe and Central and North Africa on 19th September.

On Sunday, 20th September, the crescent will be easily visible in all Islamic countries except for the Central Asian countries.

Thus according to actual visibility, first of Shawwal should be on the same day throughout the Islamic world this year. Any difference would be there if Saudi Arabia follows the Ummul Qura Calendar.

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