Arab states to mark Eid al-Fitr on Thursday

Saudi Akkaz daily announced the majority of Arab countries are set to observe the new moon of Shawwal on Wednesday, announcing Thursday as Eid al Fitr, reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA).

Since the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan had been marked simultaneously in most of the countries, they are expected to announce Eid al- Fitr on the same day, Thursday August 8 this year.

The Islamic board for moon sight announced,” Since the moon sets sooner than the sun in Northern Asia, Europe and Canada, it is impossible to observe the moon with unarmed eyes except for middle and southern areas in Africa and America.”

Al Masriyah website quoting Egypt fatwa center announced Thursday as the probable day for Eid al Fitr.

This is while Hatem Auda, director of the National Institute for Astronomical and Geophysical Research in Egypt in a statement said, based on astronomical and religious calculations, all Islamic and Arab countries will mark Thursday as Fitr Eid making a 29-day Ramadan in 2013.

The same date has been approved for Fitr Eid in all Arabic and Islamic states by astronomers’ board of Saudi Arabia.

HK