The moon will be visible for 14 minutes after sunset in Eastern Australia and for 18 minutes after sunset in Perth, Western Australia. Seeing the moon would be a clear sign that Ramadan is over and next month, Saul, may begin. The festivities of Eid ul Fitr, therefore, begin on Monday. The council issued a statement saying: “After consulting with members of the Australian Fatwa Council and further surveys at local and global observatories, it has been confirmed that the new moon of Shawwal will be born on Sunday, May 1 at 6:28 a.m. AEST, the sun sets the same day at 5.14 p.m. while the new moon will appear the same day after sunset for 14 minutes until 5.28 p.m. where it will then disappear from the horizon. In the city of Perth, Western Australia, the new moon of the month Shawwal will be born on Sunday, May 1 at 4.28 am. AWST, the sun sets the same day at 5.38 p.m. while the moon will appear the same day after sunset for 18 minutes until 5.56 p.m. where it will then disappear from the horizon. Therefore, Sunday, May 1, 2022, will be the last day of the month of Ramadan 1443 AH. The Day of Eid Al-Fitr will be Monday, May 2, 2022 and the first day of the month Shawwal 1443 AH. “The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, and the respected Imams of the Australian National Council Imam, acknowledge the differing views among scholars on this subject and that not all imams and schools of thought agree on the criteria and the methodology used to determine the beginning and end of the holy month of Ramadan, including prominent imam members of the Australian Fatwa Council and the Australian National Council of Imams. “Therefore, the National Council of Imams of Australia and the Grand Mufti of Australia call on all Muslims to respect these differences by avoiding discussions that lead to disagreements and misunderstandings among Muslims. We urge the Muslim community to focus on their unity and what brings them closer to Allah Almighty and their religion. The Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohamad, and the respected Imams of the Australian National Council of Imams, wish the Muslim community a happy, joyful and blessed Eid Al-Fitr. “We also encourage the Muslim community to work with colleagues, neighbors and friends to demonstrate the true and peaceful image of Islam.”
