The connection between astronomy & Eid – Eid Mubarak to anyone celebrating

[Preetha Sreedharan]

In some parts of the world today (Malaysia being one), Moslems will celebrate Eid Ul Fitr which marks the first day after the fasting month of Ramadan. For New Zealand it was yesterday I believe. In Malaysia and some Moslem countries the day when the fasting month (Ramada) ends is determined when the emergence of the new moon (marking the beginning of the new month) is confirmed. Confirming this can be complicated – recent posts by friends in Malaysia indicate its quite a science “the crescent moon must be 3 degrees above the horizon during sunset, with an elongation of no less than 6.4 degrees. If the values are below this, then the present month (ie Ramadan) continues for another day – making for a 30 day month of fasting. The Islamic calendar is based on the actual sighting of the new moon and not just by its mere existence based on time” – for this reason, growing up in Malaysia, the announcement of when it would be Eid was always something the whole nation waited on with bated breath (and hungry tummies as the celebration of Eid much like all celebrations like this is marked by a feast of very yummy food) – it was also a public holiday and one needed to know if you had to show up to school or work the next day. Even then I would pray for the clouds not to hamper the sighting – I seem destined to pray for clouds to stay away 😀

Anyway, for those celebrating I wish you and your families “Eid Mubarak” and to everyone else, perhaps it will add to when you look up at the New Moon tonight (though its cloudy in Christchurch).

PS- The above information about how the new moon is confirmed and sighted is according to the Malaysia. Other countries may have other criteria. In some countries (like Singapore) have days in the year when they have already determined when it will be Eid

[John Pickering]

Eid Mubarak Preetha, thank you for that – interesting.  My neighbour-to-be (we were putting a fence up together) was saying that he thought maybe Tuesday here in New Zealand.  I do wonder, though, what happens when it is cloudy?

John

[Preetha Sreedharan]

When it is cloudy the first evening they check, they announce on national TV in the evening that the moon was not sighted – the nation heaves a collective big sigh of disappointment and we head to school/work the next day and moslems fast another day…usually though they call it the second day they check even if its cloudy and they will announce Eid to be on the next day – I think its the assumption that the moon will likely be at the spot it needs to be. Once a very long time ago when I was a tween, I remember they called it on the 3rd day but that was very unusual and a topic of national discussion as the delay makes it difficult for planning when one heads to their hometown, or when to start preparing the Eid feasts…this year was the same as the government announced Eid to be one day earlier than anticipated…Previously I never knew the details of where the moon needed to be – only found out yesterday when social media in Malaysia lit up a bit and thought how interesting 🙂

[Goran Balvan]

Eid Mubarak Preetha or in Bosnian “Bajram serif mubarek olsun” 😊

Thank you for the beatiful story!

[Preetha Sreedharan]

Hi Goran, thank you for that…you will have to say it out loud to me one day so I can say it properly 😀

[Goran Balvan]

Sure will do 🙂

[Rob Glassey]

Eid Mubarak Preetha,

I missed it tonight unfortunately. The first slither of the new moon is always a nice sight, and with extra meaning for many this month.

Thanks for the personal insight too. That’s an interesting perspective most of us don’t have here.

I have wondered about how this is worked out. Thanks.

 

[Preetha Sreedharan]

With Matariki being a official holiday New Zealanders will now enjoy the anticipation of living with 2 types of calendars 😀

[Thomas Clark]

Do Muslims watch the moon? I didn’t know that. I thought they only had one symbol – the aging moon. I wonder why Singapore puts this day accurately and not by the moon as in other parts of the world.

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