Lifestyle
If you’re looking for a quick escape this month, you can now plan for a long weekend away based on astronomical calculations.
As per the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ibrahim al-Jarwan, “Ramadan’s full moon will be on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at 8.36am local time, while the crescent of the moon of Shawwal will be born on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 8.13am, and will set 22 minutes after sunset.”
To further explain, Jarwan states that Friday, April 21 will astronomically mark the first day of Shawwal and the blessed Eid Al Fitr.
If the government confirms and agrees to the dates mentioned above, it will be a four-day weekend with Friday, April 21 and Monday, April 24 off, knowing that both Saturday and Sunday are a weekend in the UAE.
What is Eid Al Fitr?
In the Islamic Calendar, Eid Al Fitr marks the official end of Ramadan and is the first day of Shawwal.
During the Holy Month Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset for around 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Eid Al Fitr marks the end of fasting, and literally translates in English to the “feast of breaking the fast”.
