For centuries, the sighting of a crescent moon has signaled the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fast and prayer for Muslims.
This year, the sight was obscured in some parts of the world by the sun’s glare during the total solar eclipse, delaying some Islamic communities’ declaration of Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of the fast.
Although only a narrow band of North America experienced a total eclipse, the phenomenon reduced lunar visibility elsewhere, experts said.
In Saudi Arabia, an authority on religious observances for many Muslims, the government called on all Muslims throughout the kingdom to look for the crescent moon on Monday.
When it was not reported seen, the Supreme Court declared on Tuesday that Eid would be celebrated beginning on Wednesday.
Persons:
Eid
Organizations:
North America, Supreme
Locations:
North, Kerala, India, New Delhi, Saudi Arabia