MUSLIMS in the country are advised not to be influenced by the news that the first day of Syawal in some foreign countries will fall on Friday (April 21).

Perak deputy mufti Zamri Hashim said the date of Aidilfitri in Malaysia would be decided based on Ikmanur Rukyah (possibility of sighting the Syawal new moon) which depends on observations that would be conducted on April 20.

“There should be no issue this year because according to the data obtained, it will be very difficult for us (in Malaysia) to see the new moon.

“People are influenced by foreign sources that the size and age of the moon will vary,” he told reporters after officiating a Hari Raya donation handover ceremony at a supermarket in Ipoh today.

The date for the sighting of the new moon of Syawal is set for Thursday, April 20, or the 29th of Ramadan at 29 selected locations nationwide.

Previously, there was talk among Muslims in the country about a recurrence of last year’s “surprise Hari Raya” after news that Syawal 1 this year would fall on Friday, April 21, went viral on social media recently.

Zamri advised Muslims to wait for the announcement of the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal on the date of Hari Raya on the evening of April 20.

“Follow what is set by the Conference of Rulers that the announcement will be made on the evening of the 29th of Ramadan. Don’t panic, what’s important is that we celebrate Hari Raya as an act of worship,” he said. – Bernama, April 16, 2023.