Eid al-Fitr 2019 First Date Announced by Australian Imam Council; Ramadan to End on June 4
Grand Mufti of Australia, Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, said there could be a possibility that some sects of Muslims living in the nation may not adhere to the date of Eid al-Fitr as announced by the Imams Council.
Sydney, May 31: Days after Pakistan became the first nation in the world to officially declare the first date of Eid al-Fitr, Australia has followed suit. The Australian National Imams Council issued a statement on Thursday, announcing June 4 as the last date of Ramadan ul-Kareem. The festival of Eid, the Muslim body said, will be observed on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Grand Mufti of Australia, Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, said there could be a possibility that some sects of Muslims living in the nation may not adhere to the date of Eid al-Fitr as announced by the Imams Council. Eid Moon Sighting 2019: Pakistan Launches pakmoonsighting.pk - the Official Crescent Sighting Website, App And Hijri Calendar
Appealing for unity and peace, the Grand Mufti said Muslims should not indulge in heated arguments and verbal duel over disagreements on the dates of Eid al-Fitr.
Here is the statement issued by Australian National Imams Council:
There is a possibility that some sects of Muslims living in Australia will form their own network to spot the Hilal crescent on the evening of Monday, June 3. If the moon is sighted by them, then the month of Ramadan would end on its 29th date and the first of Shawwal -- the next Islamic month -- would begin on June 4. Notably, the festival of Eid falls on the first of Shawwal.
The Imams Council, however, have used astronomic inputs and scientific data to finalise June 5 as the observance of Eid. The top Muslim body is sure that the moon will not be sighted on June 3.
"Tuesday the 4th of June, 2019 will be the 30th and the last day of the Month of Ramadan for the year 1440AH and The Day of Eid Al Fitr and 1st of Shawwal 1440 AH will be Wednesday, the 5th of June 2019," the statement read.
The Eid moon sighting is a tedious process, as the crescent or new moon, if seen, remains visible only for a couple of minutes around sunset. To avoid the confusion, debate and conflicting claims, the Imams Council has pre-declared the dates of Eid al-Fitr.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 31, 2019 10:28 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).