The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia urged all Muslims in the nation to keep an eye out for the Shawwal crescent on the evening of Thursday, Ramadan 29, which falls on April 20, 2023.

Call for Shawwal crescent search on Thursday from Saudi Supreme Court

The Supreme Court asked anyone who saw the crescent with their naked eyes or through binoculars to report it to their local court so that it can register their testimony there or to get in touch with the local town center.

The Supreme Court sincerely hopes that anyone who is interested in seeing the crescent will join the committees set up in various locations for this purpose, pleading with Allah for his favor because doing so represents a community’s cooperation in righteousness and piety, which is beneficial to all Muslims.

Also Read: Holidays of Eid-ul-Fitr 2023 for Public & Private Sectors in Saudi Arabia

Notably, the holy month of Ramadan began on March 23 in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, as well as in the majority of Arab and Muslim nations, after Shaban had completed its 30-day period.

According to an expert, astronomical calculations show that Friday will mark the start of Eid Al-Fitr. 

According to Eng. Majed Abu Zahra, head of the Astronomical Society in Jeddah, the phenomenon of conjugation will take place before sunset on Thursday, Ramadan 29, which corresponds to April 20.

According to Abu Zahra, the sun will set from Makkah’s horizon at 6:42 on Thursday night. At that time, the moon will be 04 degrees above the horizon, with an angle of 05 degrees separating it from the sun, and a brightness of 0.2 percent.

Also Read: Is Makkah turning Green a sign of Qiyamah?

Astronomically, the conditions for the start of the month of Shawwal will be met when the moon sets at 7:06 PM, 24 minutes after sunset.

But, according to Abu Zahra, due to the Shawwal crescent’s limited illumination, presence in the sun’s setting radiance, and brief duration above the horizon, sighting it with the unaided eye or monitoring devices is not possible unless one is using a CCD camera.

The moon will be 16 degrees above the horizon on Friday, April 21, with a 17-degree angle between it and the sun, and it will be illuminated by 2.4 percent of the sun. At 6:43 PM, the sun will begin to set behind Makkah.