The Complexity of the Eid Al-Fitr Holiday
Eid Al-Fitr is not only one of the most important Islamic festivals, but also one of the most complex holidays.
- It is a holiday in 79 countries
- Holiday length ranges from 1 to 7 days
- Decision-making bodies differ—governments, religious authorities, and sometimes even financial institutions
Adding to the complexity is the reliance on moon-sighting. The Quran states that the month begins when the new moon is sighted. Many countries interpret this literally, deploying teams of observers each month. The process is influenced not only by astronomy – latitude, longitude, crescent size – but also by terrain, weather, air pollution and local rules on optical aids.
This year, countries will begin moon-sighting on the evening of Wednesday, March 18 or Thursday, March 19. Depending on whether they see the moon, Eid Al-Fitr will generally start on Friday, March 20, or Saturday, March 21.
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