`Eid Al-Fitr on Friday, April 21: Fiqh Council of North America

`Eid Al-Fitr will be on Friday, April 21, according to the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), citing astronomical calculations.

The Fiqh Council of North America recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of Lunar months including the months of Ramadan and Shawwal.

FCNA uses the criteria of the European Council of Fatwa and Research (ECFR), which are that somewhere on the globe, at sunset, the elongation should be at least 8 degrees and the moon should be at least 5 degrees above horizon.

If these conditions are met, then it is certain that the moon is above the horizon and will be visible somewhere on the globe. Hence the new lunar month will start the next day, otherwise it will start on the day following next.

The Astronomical New Moon is on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 4:12 Universal Time.

On April 20, the elongation is more than 8 degrees and the moon is more than 5 degrees above the sun everywhere in North America. Hence the first day of Shawwal is on Friday, April 21, 2023, insha’Allah.