A group of Muslim countries, led by Saudi Arabia, is fasting for one more day and is set to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on July 6, citing their inability to view the crescent moon ending the lunar month of Ramadan.
The move comes just a month after a decision to follow a joint calendar in the Islamic world.
Some Arab states have decided to extend the month of fasting by one more day after stating that the crescent moon could not be observed from locations within their borders, which is a requisite to end Ramadan in Islam.
In Turkey, however, Ramadan ended with Eid al-Fitr celebrations beginning on July 5. Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate sent two officials to Chile to sight the crescent moon, which appears there first. According to Diyanet, sighting the crescent moon anywhere in the world marks the end of Ramadan. However, some Arab countries have adopted the practice of sighting the crescent moon from locations within their borders, and therefore will end Ramadan on July 6.
Muslim clerics from across the world had agreed to a unified Islamic calendar on May 30 to determine religious days and festivals. Representatives from around 50 countries including Turkey, Malaysia, Egypt and the United States agreed to the proposal at a conference in Istanbul.
The Hijri is a lunar calendar used to determine religious occasions such as Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage. However, different interpretations of the Quran have led Muslims around the world to celebrate on differing days. The two-day congress brought together astronomers and officials to create a unified calendar.
Some Arab states have decided to extend the month of fasting by one more day after stating that the crescent moon could not be observed from locations within their borders, which is a requisite to end Ramadan in Islam.
In Turkey, however, Ramadan ended with Eid al-Fitr celebrations beginning on July 5. Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate sent two officials to Chile to sight the crescent moon, which appears there first. According to Diyanet, sighting the crescent moon anywhere in the world marks the end of Ramadan. However, some Arab countries have adopted the practice of sighting the crescent moon from locations within their borders, and therefore will end Ramadan on July 6.
Muslim clerics from across the world had agreed to a unified Islamic calendar on May 30 to determine religious days and festivals. Representatives from around 50 countries including Turkey, Malaysia, Egypt and the United States agreed to the proposal at a conference in Istanbul.
The Hijri is a lunar calendar used to determine religious occasions such as Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage. However, different interpretations of the Quran have led Muslims around the world to celebrate on differing days. The two-day congress brought together astronomers and officials to create a unified calendar.
Hurriyet Daily
