Malawi: The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture has released a media statement about informing the general public about the celebration of Eid Ul Fitr Prayers on Wednesday, April 03, 2024.
The Ministry has agreed with the advice that was given by the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) regarding the celebration of Eid Ul Fitr Prayers that will be held now on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 and Thursday, April 11, 2024.
The beginning of the celebration of the festival will depend on the sighting of the new moon, marking the end of the holy month of ‘Ramadan’.
According to the media statement, if the new moon is sighted on Tuesday, April 09, 2024 then the Eid Ul Fitr Public Holiday will be observed on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
If the new moon is sighted on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 then the Eid Ul Fitr Holiday will be observed on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
Considering, this the general public is advised by the government that the announcement of the actual sighting of the new moon will be made by the Muslim Association of Malawi.
Eid Ul Fitr is the earlier two official holidays that are celebrated in Islam before the end of Ramadan month. The festival is celebrated worldwide because it marks the end of the month-long dawn to sunset fasting of Ramadan.
The festival falls on the first day of Shawwal according to the Islamic calendar. Surprisingly, its does not always fall on the same Gregorian day as the start of any lunar Hijri month which is based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious authorities.
The festive holiday is known with various other names in different languages and countries around the world. The day is also known with the name of Lesser Eid or simply being called as Eid.
Eid Ul Fitr begins at the sunset, and sees the first crescent moon. The night on which the moon is sighted is celebrated as Chand Raat.
If the moon is not observed immediately after the 29th day of the previous lunar month, then the holiday is celebrated the following day.
Eid Ul Fitr is celebrated for one to three days which is dependent on various countries. Muslims are forbidden to keep fast on the day of Eid and a specific prayer is nominated for the day. Also, as charity, money is paid to the poor and the needy before performing the Eid Prayer.