PATNA: The new moon of the month of Shawwal is sighted in most of the Indian states on Friday, following which it is announced that Eid al Fitr in these states will be celebrated on Saturday i.e. July 18, 2015.
The new moon has been sighted in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Hyderabad and other adjoining states, the witnesses said.
“In Bihar, the moon is sighted by a large number of people, following which it is announced by the local Hilal Committee that Eid al Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday i.e. July 18, 2015”, Imtiyaz Rehmani, office secretary of Mohammad Wali Rahmani, said.
Earlier, the moon sighting committees in the country has issued special appeal to the people to look for the new moon after the sunset today i.e. July 17, 2015 coinciding with 29th of Ramadan.
Commencement of the new month in Islamic Calendar is based on sighting of the new moon. If the new moon is sighted on 29th, the next day is counted as the first day of the new month, otherwise the month is considered of full 30 days.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf states are celebrating Eid today i.e. Friday July 17, 2015. The decision was taken after the new moon was sighted in these countries on Thursday.
Muslims in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and other Western and European countries will be celebrating Eid along with Arab States today i.e. Friday July 17, 2015. These countries rely on the moon sighting reports of Saudi Arabia to decide starting of the new month.
