It is unlikely the Eid crescent will be sighted on Tuesday, according to experts and ulema. [Picture: Arabian Business]
Wet and gloomy weather notwithstanding, Muslims are encouraged to scan the western horizon shortly after sunset, in anticipation of the crescent signalling the end of Ramadan. But it is unlikely the Eid crescent will be spotted on Tuesday.
Speaking in an interview on Salaamedia, Mufti Abdullah Dockrat, principal of Darul Uloom Erasmia, said by all indications it was “unlikely” the moon would be sighted. This means Ramadan will likely be 30 days, with Eid al-Fitr falling on Thursday instead.
“The possibility of seeing the moon in South Africa itself, especially with the cloud cover and the visibility maps that are available to us, is very unlikely. It is possible, but it is unlikely that the moon will be sighted in South Africa,” he said.
SMread: Unfazed Israel defies Biden’s ceasefire call
Moonsighting
According to information obtained by Moonsighting.com, optical aid will be required to spot the moon in much of SA on Tuesday. However, it is predicted to be easily visible to the naked eye on Wednesday.
Crescent moon visibility on Tuesday, 09 April 2024:
Crescent moon visibility on Wednesday, 10 April 2024:
While chances of sighting the crescent remain low in South Africa, they are greater for people in the northern fringes of Southern Africa, said Dockrat. This is because the crescent will be at an altitude of 6.4 in Musina, SA, and 7.9 in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Traditionally, SA has stuck to local sightings to mark the end of the month of fasting. However, there are some who accept sightings from neighbouring countries.
Dockrat said it was best to follow the consensus of one’s town, to avoid confusion. The United Ulama Council of South Africa (UUCSA) generally makes a determination by collating reports from across the country.
“We don’t want families separated over a matter like this. UUCSA’s view of taking local sightings is a valid view; maybe they [the public] should stick to that view until UUCSA is comfortable taking from the neighbouring countries,” he said.
