This bit of info was sent to my email addy; thought that I will share:


The Fiqh Council of North America in its meeting in Herndon, Virginia on
July 31-August 1, 2007 noted with satisfaction the recent Fatwa of its
counterpart in Europe "the European Council for Fatwa and Research"
related to the permissibility of the use of calculation method for
determining the beginning of Lunar months including the months of
Ramadan and Shawwal.

The position of ECFR is very similar to the position of FCNA adopted
last year on June 10, 2006, with a minor difference. FCNA adopted the
position that the conjunction should occur before noon at Greenwich
time. ECFR has adopted Makkah al-Mukarram as a conventional point and
took the position that the conjunction must take place before sunset in
Makkah and moon must set after sunset in Makkah.

FCNA after careful discussion has revised its position and has adopted
the Fatwa of ECFR. This revised position will change only a few dates in
the Fiqh Council's Five year calendar; but it will bring greater harmony
and unity among the Muslims communities in the West.

On the basis of this new position the dates of Ramadan and Eidul Fitr
for this year are as follows:

1st of Ramadan will be on Thursday, September 13, 2007
1st of Shawwal will be on Saturday, October 13, 2007

Ramadan 1428 AH:
The astronomical New Moon is on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 12:44
Universal Time (3:44 pm Makkah time). Sunset at Makkah on September 11
is 6:28 pm local time, while moonset at Makkah is at 6:24 pm local time
(4 minutes before sunset). This does not meet the new criteria adopted
by Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and European Council of Fatwa
and Research (ECFR). On Wednesday, September 12, 2007, sunset at Makkah
is 6:27 pm local time, while moonset is at 6:55 pm local time.
Therefore, first day of Ramadan is Thursday, September 13, insha'Allah.

Eid ul-Fitr 1428 AH:
The astronomical New Moon is on Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 5:00
Universal Time (8:00 am Makkah time). Sunset at Makkah on October 11 is
6:00 pm local time, while moonset at Makkah is at 5:59 pm local time (1
minute before sunset). This does not meet the new criteria adopted by
FCNA and ECFR. On Friday, October 12, 2007, sunset at Makkah is 5:59 pm
local time, while moonset is at 6:32 pm local time. Therefore, first day
of Shawwal, i.e., Eid ul-Fitr is Saturday, October 13, insha'Allah.

.

asj
Is everyone going with this in NA?
I heard runors that this might be the case.

quote:

1st of Ramadan will be on Thursday, September 13, 2007
1st of Shawwal will be on Saturday, October 13, 2007

yup!

ASJ: not being nasty as I know you are not the maker of the fatwa. but so, according to this revised version, MECCA's sighting must preempt the astronomical birth? Am i the only one seeing some retrogressiveness here? I could be wrong..just checking....If an astronomical new moon's birth can be calculated for every time and place, why do I have to work with mecca? thus delaying me by more than 24 hours? Am I missing something? Are we trying to make two parallel untouchables meet?

A Call for Understanding and Harmony

The Fiqh Council is encouraging all Muslims throughout North America to consider using the new methodology for the sake of unity and to avoid the confusion and disputes that have occurred in the past. However, the Fiqh Council does not intend to force its decision on anyone or any Muslim community.

You should follow the decision of your Imam and your Masjid. Moreover, you should do so with great respect and avoiding unnecessary disputes and discussion. It is not expected that everyone will embrace this decision immediately. As with all changes, it will take time for people to understand and appreciate the new method. But, Insha’Allah, once people see the new methodology as a more objective and accurate standard, it will serve to unite us in the near future.

http://www.fiqhcouncil.org/

I have always been supportive of the calculated method. I don't want it to be based on what the Saudis decide though if it conflicts with proper astronomical research. It must not be deemed right just because the Saudis say so.

quote:

Originally posted by asj:
A Call for Understanding and Harmony

The Fiqh Council is encouraging all Muslims throughout North America to consider using the new methodology for the sake of unity and to avoid the confusion and disputes that have occurred in the past. However, the Fiqh Council does not intend to force its decision on anyone or any Muslim community.

You should follow the decision of your Imam and your Masjid. Moreover, you should do so with great respect and avoiding unnecessary disputes and discussion. It is not expected that everyone will embrace this decision immediately. As with all changes, it will take time for people to understand and appreciate the new method. But, Insha’Allah, once people see the new methodology as a more objective and accurate standard, it will serve to unite us in the near future.

http://www.fiqhcouncil.org/

Thanks. Good post asj.

quote:

Originally posted by ksazma:
I have always been supportive of the calculated method. I don't want it to be based on what the Saudis decide though if it conflicts with proper astronomical research. It must not be deemed right just because the Saudis say so.

And that is my problem. I will probably nonetheless go along with the majority here for the 13 even though it goes against my conviction because, as asj posted, unity on matters that cause no hostility and have no repercussions on negative behavior are needed. But I am offended, ashamed at the fatwas retrogressive arabcentrism.
Here I am, arguing with Argy and Andre, proving to them that they misunderstand something that is crystal clear. And then....the Fiqh Council comes with this trash that proves why people must think our jurists are from another frickin age. Lord have mercy.

"Do not fast unless you sight the crescent, and do not break your fast till you sight the (following) crescent." (Al-Bukhari, Vol. 3:130).

The Astronomical New Moon is on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 12:44 Universal Time (i.e., 8:44 am EDT, and 5:44 am PDT ). This moon is impossible to be seen any where on September 11. On September 12, the moon will be sightable in Australia, South Africa, South America, and North America (e.g., in San Diego, CA at sunset, the age is over 44 hours, and moon is setting 35 minutes after sunset). Therefore, first day of Ramadan (fasting) in North America, is expected to be September 13, Insha-Allah. Sighting/nonsighting reports will be posted here as soon as they are available.

I personally welcome this new and innovative way of trying to determine the crescent of the moon to commence Ramadan but I do not want to get carried away and totally disregard actual sighting. This new technology should be adopted as a means of facilitating the process of where and when we will be able to see the moon and should be restricted to just that.

It is still incumbent upon us Muslims to observe the Sunnah of our holy Prophet (pbuh) and start the fasting when the moon is sighted. We also have the technology to share this information of actual sighting so let’s be careful here. When ever the moon is sighted I will start the fast Insha Allah…if for what ever reasons reason it cannot be sighted, we know what to do in such situation…Allah knows best.My Sallam to all.

Mike: good post. But the q says it is tibyaanan likulli shayin. It also identifies animals as means of transport. A scripture cannot be frozen in time. this is the biggest problem of the muslims. No pilot, no meteorologist calculates times by sighting..that would lead to chaos. The Qurna uses the word 'bayan"..that is the epitome of human epistemology. WIth the astronomical calculations we have that. WIht the naked eye sighting, we cannot ascertain teh weather conditions in every part of the globe and that will lead to perpetual differences in beginning and ending. That being said, solely for the purpose of unity I will observe the 13th. May your fasting bring deeper taqwa.

quote:

Originally posted by dara shikoh:
Mike: good post. But the q says it is tibyaanan likulli shayin. It also identifies animals as means of transport. A scripture cannot be frozen in time. this is the biggest problem of the muslims. No pilot, no meteorologist calculates times by sighting..that would lead to chaos. The Qurna uses the word 'bayan"..that is the epitome of human epistemology. WIth the astronomical calculations we have that. WIht the naked eye sighting, we cannot ascertain teh weather conditions in every part of the globe and that will lead to perpetual differences in beginning and ending. That being said, solely for the purpose of unity I will observe the 13th. May your fasting bring deeper taqwa.

well said Doc...and this is the reason why we should use the astronomical way to help us locate the place and time for the sighting...we just do not rule out sighting..this is my point.My sallam to you and all.

This article was posted here last year.

http://www.zaytuna.org/articleDetails.asp?articleID=100



Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding
(3:190)

A blessed Ramadhan to all.

quote:

Originally posted by Abu Jihad:
This article was posted here last year.

http://www.zaytuna.org/articleDetails.asp?articleID=100



Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding
(3:190)

A blessed Ramadhan to all.

Sallam my brother...how are you ? a blessed Ramadan to you too.

Ramadan Prayer Time Table 2007:

http://www.irfi.org/general/2007_Ramdan_Prayer_Time_Table_1428_AH.htm

quote:

Originally posted by asj:
Ramadan Prayer Time Table 2007:

http://www.irfi.org/general/2007_Ramdan_Prayer_Time_Table_1428_AH.htm

Please specify which area this is for...this is not for the NY metropolitan area.

quote:

Originally posted by limer:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by asj:
Ramadan Prayer Time Table 2007:

http://www.irfi.org/general/2007_Ramdan_Prayer_Time_Table_1428_AH.htm

Bro Limer, Ramadan Mubarak.
Thanks for bringing this us, the area is listed at the heading of the time table:
Will try to get NY area asap:

Visit www.islamicfinder.com

Has prayer times for around the world...