Canadian Muslims Celebrate Eid on Sunday

(September 19, 2009) – Canadian Muslims will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the feast that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, on Sunday September 20, 2009.

From Vancouver to St. John’s, the country’s Muslims will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow.

The national organizations, ISNA Canada, ICNA Canada and MAC (Muslim Association of Canada) are following the decision of the Fiqh Council of North America which had previously declared Eid-ul-Fitr as being Sunday, 20 September.

The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) recognizes astronomical calculations as an acceptable Shar’ia method for determining the beginning of lunar months.

Muslims following the position that the actual local sighting of the new crescent signals the beginning of the month have also declared Eid to be on Sunday.

The Hilal Committee of Metropolitan Toronto and vicinity has confirmed late this evening that their member organizations will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday: “Based on verified reports of crescent sightings in the parameters of North America, the Caribbean and South America (specifically in Guyana and Surinam) on the eve of Saturday 19 September 2009 (29 Ramadan), the Hilal Committee of Toronto has declared the1st of Shawwal 1430 to be on Sunday 20 September 2009.”