By Muntaha Al-Fadhli
KUWAIT, Sept 28 (KUNA) -- Astronomer Adel Al-Saadoun said Sunday that the crescent of the Muslim lunar month of Shawal would not be sighted from any location on Earth Monday evening, and thus Eid Al-Fitir would fall on Wednesday, October 1.
Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), he said that it would also be impossible to witness the crescent on Tuesday in Kuwaiti skies, but that it would be sighted in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, southern Egypt and Algeria.
He explained that every year, people argued about accurate dates of the beginning of lunar months, explaining that in order to determine the exact dates, certain astronomical conditions had to be met.
He added that in many cases, the crescent could be seen in one country while and not in a neighboring country, even they are both located on the same line of longitude, as was the case between Kuwait City and Yemen's Mokla where the crescent would be seen Tuesday evening in the latter but not the former.
Al-Saadoun reiterated that it would be impossible to see the crescent in Kuwaiti skies Monday evening, and those who claim to have seen it were either mistaken or giving a false testimony.
Copyright Kuwait News Agency 2008.
