The Crescent Committee of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America would like to announce that at sunset on Wednesday October 29th 2008, the new crescent was not seen.

"The Crescent Committee" of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America would like to inform you that it has researched the New Crescent of the Month of Shawal, on Monday night, the 29th of Month of Ramadhan 1429 (September 29th, 2008) in

As a result of receiving some questions regarding the possibility of sighting the New Crescent with the naked eye on Sunday August 31st, which took place by trustworthy believers, we would like to

While the possibilities of the New Crescent sightings based on astronomical data were weak, we were in fact able to confirm the sighting of the New Crescent of the Holy Month of Ramadan, 1429....

Based on the principle of “multiple curve sightings” and since the astronomical data in regards to the possibilities of sighting the New Crescent of the Month of Ramadan for the year 1429 at sunset on Sunday August 31st 2008 in North America....

With the approach of the Blessed Month of Ramadan, we would like to draw the attention of the believers to look for an announcement declaring the start of the Holy Month from the Crescent Committee of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America. This announcement will be distributed via e-mail and will also be posted on the organization's official website: www.imam-us.org by late evening on Sunday August 31st, 2008.

In the past couple of days we have witnessed several news agencies spread rumors about the health of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani. I.M.A.M. reassures the public that such news is inaccurate. Our most recent communications with the head office reflect that he is in good health and is resuming his daily activities in his office as usual.

Saturday August 2nd 2008 will be considered the last day of Rajab. It follows as a result the 1st of the Month of Sha'aban 1429 will be Sunday August 3rd, 2008.

Based on this information and in accordance to the principles for identifying the beginning of the new month of Grand Ayatullah Sayed Sistani may Allah prolong his life, it was concluded that....