Islam follows the lunar calendar and relies on the waxing and waning phases of the moon. As Eid approaches, people wish for clear skies, because the sighting of the crescent moon indicates that the festival has officially begun. People then begin to dress up and start the feast.

Why do we sight the moon for Ramadan?

Ramadan 2021: Significance of moon sighting

The sighting of the moon signifies the start and the end of the holy month of Ramadan of the Muslim calendar. The entire month depends on the lunar calendar and hence the dates keep changing every year.

Why do we look at the moon for Eid?

The Islamic tradition pays a rich value to the sighting of the moon and the new moon marks the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan and arrival of the Shawwal. By seeing the new moon the new lunar month begins, as per the Islamic traditions, hence this marks the significance of sighting the moon on Eid-ul-Fitr.