The Ghanaian Minaret

Accra: Muslims in Ghana are likely to mark the end of the Ramadan fast on two different days this year.

Eid-ul-Fitr, a celebration to climax the end of a fasting period of 29 or 30 days, is usually held a day after a new crescent has been sighted.

However, press releases from dominant Muslim entities issued within the week have suggested different timelines for the sighting of the crescent and the holding of Eid prayers.

It would be recalled that a press statement dated April 5 and issued by the Office of the National Chief Imam has set Thursday as the day of Eid-ul-Fitr celebration.

The statement signed by Alhaji Awaisu Salisu Bio, the Executive Secretary of the Office, stated that “I wish to inform you that the first sighting for the month of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan) will be done on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.”

“As has been the practice with us in Ghana for about 32 years, whether the moon is sighted or not, our Eid celebration will come off on Thursday, April 11, 2024,” the statement read.

On the contrary, Ahlussunna Wal Jamaa (ASWAJ-Ghana), a dominant Muslim sect, has also issued a press statement indicating that it would begin the sighting of the new crescent on Monday, April 8, with Eid prayers likely to be observed on Tuesday, April 9.

However, if the crescent was not sighted, the Sunni fraternity would hold Eid prayers on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the forecourt of the State House.

The issue of different dates for celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr in Ghana has been a longstanding issue that is tied to the different dates for the start of Ramadan and the bureaucracy associated with granting holidays for Muslim celebration.

Recently, John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has pledged to grant Muslims an extra holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr with the hope of addressing the challenge.