MANILA, Philippines – Muslims will celebrate the feast of Eid’l Fitr on Wednesday, June 5, and not a day earlier, after Islamic moonsighting committees reported no sighting of the new moon on Monday evening, June 3.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) confirmed this in a statement before 9 pm on Monday.

Eid’l Fitr is a feast marking the end of Ramadan, a monthlong period of fasting from sunrise to sunset to seek forgiveness of sins, increase self control, and exercise charity. This celebration is the Feast of the Breaking of the Fast. (READ: FAST FACTS: What you should know about Eid’l Fitr, end of Ramadan) 

Eid’l Fitr is celebrated for 3 days, and its beginning depends on the sighting of the new moon. 

If the moonsighting committees spotted the new moon on Monday evening, Eid’l Fitr would have been celebrated as early as Tuesday morning, June 4.

“The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, as the government agency tasked with providing accurate information in relation to the affairs of Muslim Filipinos, announces that all Moonsighting Committees nationwide, including the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, have all reported NOT SIGHTING the New Moon (Hilal) for the 1st day of Shawwal 1440 AH,” said NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan in a statement.

“As such, and as declared by the Bangsamoro Darul Ifta, it is hereby officially declared that the 1440 AH EID’L FITR will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 5, 2019,” Pangarungan added.

Following the recommendation of the NCMF, President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared June 5 a regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Fitr. – Rappler.com