Title: Celebrating Eid Throughout the Muslim Ummah on the Same Date Question: Is it not necessary for all Muslims to celebrate Eid only one day, i.e. according to Saudi Arabia, because that is our Qibla ? Answer: Nothing can be termed as "necessary", in religious matters, unless a clear directive of the Qur'an or the Sunnah has specified it to be "necessary". The case for celebrating Eid on the same day, throughout the Ummah is not "necessary" because the Qur'an and the Sunnah have not given it such a status. However, this does not mean that celebrating Eid on the same day throughout the Ummah is prohibited. Muslim countries, in this case, may decide to follow any particular area (which may be Saudi Arabia - as you seem to suggest) or may, on the other hand, decide to celebrate Ramadhan and Eid according to their own moon sightings. Nevertheless, in my opinion, the case for Hajj should be considered separately. The reason is quite obvious. Ramadhan and the Eid al-Fitr are universal in nature, while Hajj is performed only in the Saudi Arabia. Thus, in my opinion, the day for Hajj - and subsequently Qurbani (slaughtering an animal) - should be in accordance with the moon sighting in the Saudi Arabia only. However, even this is not necessary - as it has not been termed as such by the Qur'an or the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). 8 th January 2000