Thai Muslims release hundred of balloons after a morning prayer marking the start of the Islamic feast of Eid al-Fitr. (Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images)
When does Shawwal begin? Shawwal is the first day of Eid al-Fitr, which is the celebration of the end of Ramadan. The date changes every year.
The reason that the dates change every year is because Islam follows a lunar calendar. The dates of the lunar calendar change every year because there’s not a set amount of days in the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar reflects the cycles of the moon, and when it is compared to or tried to fit into a 12-cycle solar calendar (that most of the Western world uses), there are slightly more than twelve lunations (or moon phases) in a solar year.
This year for American-Muslims, Ramadan ends at sundown on Wednesday, July 5. This was decided by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), which “recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of lunar months including the months of Ramadan…” However, this is a change from their previous observance, which had Ramadan ending at sundown on July 6. This may have been done to coincide with the announcement by Saudi Arabia that Eid al-Fitr will begin on July 6.
The first day of Eid al-Fitr is also the beginning of the new Islamic month of “Shawwal.” Eid is usually celebrated the first three days of Shawwal.
However, these dates vary culturally. To view a Ramadan fasting timetable, click here.
