The annual “moon wars” began before Ramadan had even settled this year, as Muslims across the UK started fasting on different days, some on 18 February, others on 19 February, setting the stage for a familiar debate: when exactly is Eid?
Those who began fasting on 18 February have confirmed they will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Friday 20 March, completing 30 fasts. Meanwhile, those who started a day later will mark Eid on the same date, having observed 29 fasts.
While the outcome may appear aligned, the journey to get there has once again highlighted the complexities behind how Islamic dates are determined.
Ramadan and Eid are governed by the lunar calendar, which follows the cycles of the moon rather than the solar-based Gregorian calendar. The start of each Islamic month is marked by the sighting of the new crescent moon, a moment that carries both religious and communal significance.
However, differences arise not from the calendar itself, but from how that moon is identified.
Some scholars and communities follow the traditional method of physically sighting the crescent moon with the naked eye, as practised during the time of the Prophet Muhammad. This often leads to reliance on local visibility, meaning the moon must be seen within the UK before Ramadan begins or ends. Due to weather conditions, sometimes this can be challenging and therefore local moon sightings in the UK are rare.
Therefore, many adopt a global moon sighting approach, accepting verified sightings from credible Muslims countries. This method often aligns British Muslims with announcements made in countries such as Saudi Arabia, even if local conditions prevent visibility. However, many argue verified moon sightings should be from the closest Muslim country to the UK, which would be Morocco and not Saudi Arabia.
A third school of thought follows astronomical calculations, using scientific data to predict the birth of the new moon. This approach allows Islamic dates to be pre-determined and is widely used in countries such as Turkey and parts of Europe.
It is these differing interpretations that result in variations, sometimes within the same city on when Ramadan begins and ends.
This year’s divergence at the start of Ramadan explains how one group completes 30 fasts, while another completes 29. Both remain valid within Islamic jurisprudence, as the length of a lunar month can be either 29 or 30 days depending on when the moon is sighted.
In Muslim-majority countries, such decisions are typically centralised. Governments or official religious bodies declare the start of months, ensuring nationwide consistency.
In the UK, however, the Muslim community is diverse, with individuals and mosques often following guidance from different scholars, countries of origin or religious organisations.
The result is an annual period of discussion sometimes debate as Ramadan draws to a close.
Yet in 2026, there is a notable sense of unity.
Despite starting on different days, the majority of British Muslims are expected to celebrate Eid together on Friday 20 March, offering a rare moment of alignment across communities.
For many, it is a reminder that while methods may differ, the spirit of Eid, marked by prayer, generosity and togetherness, remains shared.
Wishing all our readers Eid Al Fitr Mubarak
