Eid ul Fitr 2023 date confirmed in Saudi Arabia after moon-sighting

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The date for Eid ul Fitr has been announced in Saudi Arabia after official observers spotted the crescent of the new moon. The declaration is relevant for many in Scotland with many Eid gatherings expected.Birmingham Live report that Saudi Arabia's Holy Mosques of Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi said: "The crescent for the month of Shawwal 1444 was SEEN today in Tumair and Sudair.

Subsequently tomorrow Friday, 21st April 2023 is the day of Eid Al Fitr." The Saudi Supreme Court sent a range of observers to Sudair, Tumair, Riyadh and other cities to look for the moon.They rely mostly on reports from Sudair because the town has the best elevation and weather for moon visibility.Saudi astronomer Muhammad Al-Thaqafi had said: "I expect to see the crescent of Shawwal today from the Tumair or Sudair observatories.

Provided they have a clear horizon from obscuring clouds or other factors."But another astronomer, Adel Al-Saadoun, said: "It is impossible to see the crescent this evening..and I challenge anyone who sees it to photograph it as evidence."Green Lane Masjid in Birmingham stages the city's Eid celebrations and says it is "one of many mosques in the UK that rely on sightings from Saudi Arabia."GLMCC Head Imam, Sheikh Zakaullah Saleem said: "Firstly, Saudi Arabia has a well-established system for moon sighting that is known for its rigour, employment of advanced technology and trained observers, and has a defined legal and Shariah process for moon sighting, which is not the case in many other countries."Secondly, the Saudi Islamic Courts are highly coordinated in announcing the official sighting of the moon, which is then easily tracked by many Muslim-majority countries and communities.