It’s that time of the year when Muslims across the world are eagerly waiting to spot the crescent moon that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan or Ramazan and welcome the month of Shawwal.  


Shawwal is the Islamic month that follows immediately after Ramadan, the first day is called 'Eid-Ul-Fitr. The ninth month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar is Ramadan and the tenth is Shawwal and the first day is celebrated as Eid-ul-Fitr.


READ: Daily Horoscope, May 12, 2021: Scorpios To Have Luck On Their Side; Know About Other Sun Signs


Ramadan celebrations were marred last year due to the pandemic and lockdown which restricted followers in offering prayers within their homes.


The second wave of this deadly disease has once again dashed the hopes of celebration, but people will observe the festival after month-long fasting from their comfort zones.


Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations in India


The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr is based on the sighting of the crescent moon which is dependent on the Islamic lunar calendar. Typically, Eid-ul-Fitr is observed around 10-11 days earlier every year depending on the sighting of the moon since lunar months are shorter than solar months. The sightings of the moon vary in each country by about a day.


Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had called Muslims in UAE, Qatar, and other Arab states to sight the crescent moon for the month of Shawwal on May 11. There are no reports of crescent moon sightings at the Tumair observatory, even as the search continues at other observatories in Saudi Arabia.


The Institute of Astronomical & Geophysical Research of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh determines the Umm al-Qura calendar which is followed by Saudi Arabia.


Gulf countries will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Wednesday. Depending on the moon sighting, Eid will be celebrated in India either on Wednesday or Thursday. If it is sighted on Wednesday, then May 13 will mark the end of Ramadan 2021 and Eid-ul-Fitr.


The Shahi Imam of Delhi's Fatehpuri Mosque, Dr. Mufti Mohd Mukarram Ahmed has pleaded with Muslims to offer Eid prayers at home. According to the Shahi Imam, Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on May 13-14.


Moonsighting timings in India (May 12)


Delhi:7.02 PM


Lucknow: 6:45 pm


Ahmedabad: 7.12 pm


Agra: 6.57 pm


Aurangabad: 6.56 pm


Bhopal: 6.53 pm


Bengaluru: 6.37 pm


Mumbai: 7.05 pm


Hyderabad: 6.40 pm


Patna: 6.27 pm


Source: Timeanddate.com