BONN, November 21 (IslamOnline.net) – Muslims in European countries are to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr Tuesday, November 25, according to astronomical calculations, the European Council for Fatwa and Research said Thursday, November 20.

The Council, headquartered in the United Kingdom, stressed that the calculations are scientifically-based.

“The physical observation of the moon, either by the naked eye or the observatory, is conditioned on the uncertainty of scientific astronomical calculations as to defining the date of Eid,” read the statement.

Renowned moderate Islamic scholar Sheikh Qaradawi was chosen as the chairman of the council when it was established in March 1997.

The Islamic crescent council in Germany said that the moon could stay in the sky for 28 minutes after the sunset of Monday, November 24, where it could be visible in most of Arab and European countries.

Accordingly, as the moon could not be observed late Sunday, November 23, the Eid should be marked Tuesday, the head of the council, Mohamed El-Hawari, told IOL.

Most of Muslims in European countries marked Ramadan Monday, October 27.

This year's holy month of Ramadan witnessed for the first time in more than two decades two total lunar and solar eclipses in much more visually pleasing spectacle than similar eclipses.

Also Tuesday

In the meantime, Arab countries of Kuwait, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates are expected to celebrate the Islamic event of Eid Al-Fitr Tuesday.

In Kuwait, astronomical calculations by Saleh Al-Ugeiry observatory’s calendar accounts found that Eid is to be marked Tuesday

The crescent of Shawwal, the first month after Ramadan, would not show up in the Arab Gulf country’s skies before Monday.

Kuwait is one of the countries that marked Ramadan as of October 27, along with  other Gulf states.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also said the Eid will be celebrated Tuesday.

“The moon will be observed Monday evening in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Makkah, Manama, Marakesh, Cairo and London,” said the UAE astronomy amateurs group said in a statement obtained by IOL.

“So, the Eid will arrive on Tuesday, astronomically,” said the statement.

Also Lebanon

In Lebanon, prominent Shiite scholar Mohamed Hussein Fadallah said that the Eid will be also marked in the country on Tuesday, after “accurate astronomical accounts were carried out”.

The Lebanese also began fasting November 27.