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Morocco World
26-05-2025
- General
- Morocco World
Astronomer: Eid Al Adha 2025 is Saturday, June 7 in Morocco
Rabat — Ibrahim Akhyam, a researcher in the science of timekeeping and a member of the Islamic Moon Sighting Project, said Moroccans are expected to celebrate Eid Al Adha 2025 on Saturday, June 7. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has tasked its delegates to observe the crescent moon for Dhu Al Hijjah on Tuesday. The tenth of Dhu Al Hijjah marks Eid Al Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to God. Muslims commemorate the sacred event by slaughtering a sheep. This year, however, Morocco has canceled the Eid Al Adha sacrifice rite due to drought and a notable decrease in the herd population. However, the country will celebrate the other rites as usual, including morning prayers of Eid, family visits, exchanges, among other rituals. Astronomer Akhyam told Morocco World News (MWN) today that crescent moon researchers are divided over the exact timing of this year's date, with some favoring Friday, June 6, as the date of Eid Al Adha but others June 7. Akhyam is among those who are leaning toward Saturday, June 7, noting that sighting the crescent of Dhu al-Hijjah with the naked eye will be difficult in Morocco on Tuesday evening. 'This is primarily due to the insufficient age of the crescent moon and the minimal availability of other scientific criteria needed to confirm the possibility of sighting,' he told MWN. He concluded that with the crescent moon not likely visible on Tuesday evening, Eid Al Adha in Morocco is expected to fall on Saturday, June 7. 'It's important to note that these astronomical calculations are only a scientific aid to help guide the sighting process,' he added, noting that the official date will be ultimately confirmed by authorized religious authorities. Tags: Eid Al Adhaeid al adha cancelled
Morocco World
26-03-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
Morocco Expected to Celebrate Eid Al Fitr 2025 on March 31
Astronomical projections expect Eid Al Fitr, the festival that officially ends the holy month of Ramadan, to be celebrated this year in Morocco on March 31. Ibrahim Akhyam, a researcher in the science of timekeeping and a member of the Islamic Moon Sighting Project, told Morocco World News (MWN) that this Ramadan is unlikely to last 30 days. This means that Eid Al Fitr will fall on March 31, he argued. Akhyam stressed, however, that the astronomical calculations serve as a 'scientific preliminary for the sighting.' As he noted, the 'officially recognized method in Morocco remains the legitimate visual sighting as confirmed by the official authorities.' Morocco's Islamic Affairs will dedicate a team of religious authorities to sighting the crescent moon for Eid Al Fitr, likely on Saturday or Sunday this week. Eid Al Fitr is another sacred celebration in Morocco when families gather around a breakfast table with different food and Moroccan pastries. The festival is a special social occasion, especially for children who wear new clothes and receive gifts, including cash. They also go out to the streets to play and show off their festive attire. Eid is also a time when Moroccans celebrate a few days off as a holiday, which allows people who live outside of their hometown to travel back and enjoy the festivities with their families. Many reports suggest that Saudi Arabia and other countries will also celebrate Eid Fitr on Sunday or Monday, depending on moon sighting results. The sighting will determine whether Ramadan will last 29 or 30 days this year.
