Eid ul Adha 2024: Procedure of Dhul Hijjah moon sighting for determining date of Bakreid
Traditionally, Muslim communities rely on eyewitness testimonies from reliable sources to confirm the sighting of the new moon where local religious authorities or committees often oversee the process and skilled observers are appointed to look for the crescent moon shortly after sunset on the 29th day of the preceding Islamic month. If the moon is sighted and confirmed by these individuals, the announcement of the onset of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (the twelfth or last month of the Islamic or lunar calendar) is announced and simultaneously, the date of Eid-ul-Adha is declared.
However, if the moon is not sighted, the month of Dhul Hijjah is extended by a day and the moon sighting process is repeated on the following evening after maghrib prayers. In recent years, advancements in technology have facilitated the moon sighting process and many Muslims now use astronomical calculations and scientific data to predict the visibility of the moon accurately.
This approach combines traditional practices with scientific knowledge to determine the start of the Islamic month but it is important to note that different regions or communities may follow different methods and criteria for moon sighting. Some rely solely on local sightings while others consider global sightings or rely on official announcements from designated authorities however, the goal is to ensure the unity and consensus within the Muslim community regarding the start of important Islamic events such as Eid-ul-Adha.
