With respect to determining the day of Eid al-Fitr this year, based on the criteria for the visibility of the crescent, the Moon-Sighting Committee of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America would like to bring to your attention that there is a high likelihood that the Shawwal crescent will be seen with the naked eye in much of the continental United States and southern Canada.

Although the final determination will depend on actual sighting reports after sunset on Thursday, April 20 (29th of Ramadan), the following guidance is intended to help you prepare for Eid.

The visibility curve on Thursday night includes most of the United States and Canada, including Toronto. However, New York City, Boston, Ottawa, and Montreal are outside the visibility curve.

Based on this data, a reasonable prediction gives confidence that for most of the United States and southern Canada including Toronto, Eid will be on Friday, April 21 and for the above cities and areas to the north and east of them, Eid will be on Saturday, April 22 according to the Multiplicity of Horizons ruling. The final declaration about the cities excluded above, however, will depend on the location of the sighting.