Bad weather delays the start of the month of piety for the Muslim community. Although the moon was born on Friday, April 01, it was still not visible on the evening of Saturday, April 02. Sunday 03 April will be the 30th day of the month of Shaabaan 1443 Hegirien, of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The moon has been visible to other countries since Friday evening. They were able to perform the prayers that mark the beginning of the Ramadhan, Salaat-ul Taraawih on the same Friday evening to begin the fast on Saturday 02 April. But with the heavy rains in our area, the moon was not visible. With or without the visibility of the moon, the holy month of Ramadhan will begin on Monday 04 April. The first Salaat-ul Taraawih will be on Sunday evening, 30 Shaabaan, in mosques with 50 people at a time.
The lunar calendar depends on the weather conditions. Thus, with the current conditions, a panel of Haalim and Muftis, who analysed the visibility of the moon in Mauritius and its evolution around the globe, have decreed to complete the month of Shaabaan by 30 days for this year. The explanation is that if Reunion Island has started the month of Ramadhan this Sunday 03 April, it is because the moon is visible at its borders, so the month of Shaabaan stops and the month of Ramadhan starts with the appearance of the moon. This Ramadhan 2022 in Mauritius could have 30 days as 29, depending on the visibility of the moon. The feast of Eid Ul Fitr could be shifted by one day, or not too!
