King Abdullah ordered the prisoners to be released on the occasion of Eid

AMMAN, November 23 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Jordan's Astronomical Association Sunday, November 23, said that Eid al-Fitr will fall on Tuesday, November 25, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast, while King Abdullah II has ordered the release of some prisoners on the occasion of the Muslim holiday.

Quoting the association's head of crescents committee, Mohammad Shawkat, the Middle East News Agency (MENA) said that it was impossible to sight the silver of the new moon of Shawal Sunday.

"According to astronomical calculations, It is possible to sight the crescent through observatories in Sudan, Somalia, southern parts in Libya, Algeria and Morocco, while it can be seen by the naked eye in Mauritania, weather permitting," Shawkat told Egypt's official news agency.

"But it is impossible to sight the new moon on Monday from observatories in Asia and east of the Muslim world," he said, adding that the crescent could also be seen Monday in some Arab and Muslim countries in Africa.

He further said that the association would sight the crescent Monday using a plane for the third consecutive time.

Royal Pardon

Meanwhile, King Abdullah II has ordered the release of 245 common law criminals for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted government spokeswoman Asma Khodr as saying Saturday, November 22.

Releasing prisoners who are not considered a threat to national security is a tradition among Muslim countries to mark the feast.

Khodr said the government took the necessary measures to ensure that the former detainees "return home and resume a normal life", adding that 100 recidivist criminals were excluded from the royal pardon.