The first day of fasting in Libya was on March 12th and today, the 28th day, there will be a meeting to sight the moon for Eid, Photo: File
Tripoli: Due to the differences arising in Libya over the sighting of the moon for Ramadan, it is now possible that the moon for Eid al-Fitr may be sighted on the 28th Ramadan. According to Arab media reports, this Ramadan in Libya could be 28 days instead of 29 or 30, and if this happens, it will be a historic and unprecedented event due to an error in the sighting of the crescent moon.
Disagreement arose over the sighting of the moon for Ramadan. Testimonies were presented by both sides, based on which the Crescent Moon Sighting Committee announced that the first day of fasting would be on March 12th.
On the other hand, while all other Arab countries had their first day of fasting on March 11th, Libya announced that their first day of fasting would be on March 12th, making today the 28th Ramadan there. Experts are indicating the possibility of sighting the moon for Eid al-Fitr today.
Due to this complicated situation, the government has issued a fatwa to sight the moon for Eid al-Fitr on the 28th Ramadan and has instructed the Crescent Sighting Committees to look for the moon today (28th Ramadan) for Eid al-Fitr.
If the moon is sighted today, Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow, meaning that Libyans will have fasted for 28 days of Ramadan. However, they will have to make up for the missed day as a make-up fast later on.