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Eid Moon has been a contentious issue among the Muslims for long

Based on astronomical calculations, an increasing number of Muslims around the world is relying on scientific data to determine the Islamic lunar calendar, with a dominant bearing on fixing the date for the Eid-ul-Fitr, a festive occasion celebrated at the end of fasting month of Ramzan.

Throwing his weight behind this rising trend, Ayatollah Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah, a top-ranking Shia religious authority based in Lebanon and having a world-wide following, cited scientific data to announce that September 19, Saturday, would be the last day of Ramzan, and the next day would be the first date of the Islamic lunar month of Shawwal.
Ayatollah Fadlullah’s announcement of the Eid date almost a week in advance is a break with the tradition of high Islamic clergy and the practice prevailing among Muslims to rely on the actual sighting of the new moon.
His path-breaking move, appreciated widely,  is also bound to spark off a heated debate among sub-continental Muslims particularly, the clergy and the laity alike, as the procedure for determining the beginning of the months of the Islamic lunar calendar have become a highly contentious issue, particularly on the advent of Eid-ul-Fitr, with the occasion having been celebrated on separate days in the same region.

In a statement issued today, the Ayatollah said: “Based on scientific astronomical data, the birth of the crescent of the month of Shawal this year (1430 H.) will take place on the evening of Friday, September 18, at exactly 21: 44 Beirut mean time (18: 44 GMT).” “Thus, the ability of seeing the crescent would not be available on that night (Friday night), and since the beginning of the month of Ramadan was on Friday, the 21st of last August, then Saturday, the 19th of September, is the last day of the month of Ramadan. And Sunday, September 20, 2009 is the first day of the month of Shawwal; that is, the day of Eid Al-Fitr.”
“Moreover, the crescent, according to astronomical data, could be seen by means of magnifiers, on the regions to the far east of the globe, and could be seen by the naked eye in vast regions of South Africa, the Atlantic Ocean and South America,” he said.
Meanwhile the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) also announced that the Eid Al-Fitr will fall on Sunday, September 20,citing astronomical calculations.
“According to astronomical calculations, there is hardly any chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal in the evening of Friday, September 18, in any place in the world,” the ECFR said in a statement.
“Therefore, Saturday, September 19, will be the last day of Ramadan and Sunday, September 20, will be the first day of `Eid.”
The holy fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, began in most countries on Saturday, August 22.
The ECFR insisted that astronomical calculations have become very accurate in determining the start and end of lunar months.
“The science of astronomy has achieved a high degree of accuracy.
“We call upon mosque imams and scholars in all Muslim countries to help establish respect for the results of astronomical calculations.”
The Islamic Crescents’ Observation Project (ICOP) has earlier announced that the three-day `Eid-al-Fitr will commence on September 20 throughout the world according to astronomical calculations.
The ECFR urged Muslims worldwide to adopt astronomical calculations in defining the start of `Eid.
“The advent of `Eid al-Fitr is a chance for Muslims…to unite and overcome differences.”
The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) has already announced Sunday, September 20, as the first day of `Eid.
FCNA and the umbrella Islamic Society of North America recognize astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’ia method for determining the beginning of lunar months, including Ramadan and Shawwal.
Moon sighting has always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.
While one group of scholars sees that Muslims in other regions and countries are to follow the same moon sighting as long as these countries share one part of the night, another states that Muslims everywhere should abide by the lunar calendar of Saudi Arabia.
A third, however, disputes both views, arguing that the authority in charge of ascertaining the sighting of the moon in a given country announces the sighting of the new moon, then Muslims in the country should all abide by this.
This usually causes confusion among Muslims on observing Ramadan and celebrating `Eid al-Fitr.
The ECFR urged European Muslims to adopt calculations in determining the start of lunar months, especially Ramadan and Shawwal.
“This would help people fulfill their religious duties and observe religious celebrations while organizing their activities in society.”