Eid-el-Fitr 2020 may be Sunday, May 24, astronomy experts reveal
Astronomical calculations have indicated that there is no possibility for sighting the crescent moon of Shawwal in the evening of Friday, Ramadan 29, corresponding to Friday, May 22.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the calculations showed that moon will set before the sun on Friday, implying that Eid-el-Fitr would be on Sunday, May 24, after completing 30 days of fasting.
The newspaper said the calculations were done by astronomers at the observatory of Majmaah University near Riyadh.
The observatory sources said: “According to the scientific calculations that were published on the astronomical observatory site that sun will set at 6:39 p.m. at 293 degrees, and the moon will set at 6:26 p.m. Friday, Ramadan 29, and this means the setting of the moon happens 13 minutes before sunset.
“On Saturday, Ramadan 30, corresponding to May 23, the sun will set at 6:40 p.m. at 239 degrees, and the crescent moon will set at 7:23 at 293 degrees, meaning that the crescent will stay on for 43 minutes after sunset at an altitude of 8.84 and elongation of 10.60.”
Similarly, Dr Abdullah Al-Mosnad, a professor of climate at the Department of Geography of Al-Qassim University, also said the crescent moon will set on Friday about 10 minutes before the sun in Makkah and therefore Eid will be on Sunday after completion of 30 days of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, there is a slight disagreement between the Sultan of Sokoto and governors of some states in the north over how the forthcoming Eid-el-Fitr prayers should be observed.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar who is the president-general of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has given a directive that Muslims should observe the prayers at home as part of their observance of the COVID-19 protocols and to prevent the spread of the virus.
Coronavirus: Celebrate eid in your homes – FG tells Muslims
However, some governors, especially in the northern part of the country, have eased the lockdown, allowing Muslims to observe congregational prayers.