In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

An Introductory Announcement about the New Crescent of the Holy Month of Ramadan 1429

To all Believers in North America,

Greetings and blessings be upon all of you,

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.

We ask Allah to guide us to all that is beneficial and fruitful for He is the ِAll-Listener and the All-Fulfiller.

I.M.A.M.

Our Criteria for Declaring the Start of the Holy Month

The majority of all Muslim scholars, save for the rare few, agree that according to the Holy Quran and the confirmed Tradition (Sunnah), the New Crescent is religiously established when it is sighted by the naked eye.

Jurisprudence and Astronomy

"They ask you concerning the New Crescents.  Say: They are times appointed for (the benefit of) men, and (for) the pilgrimage" 2:189

In interpreting the above-mentioned verse, jurists believe that it is directed at all the people to guide them so they adopt the New Crescent as criteria to start their religious months.  Astronomy was an established science before the time of Islam and if the intent was to use it, then God and His Prophet would have commanded the people to do so.

In addition, jurists point out that the word used in the verse was “Ahilla,” or “New Crescents,” and not “alQamar,” or “New Moon.”  The New Crescent is but one of the moon phases, when the moon is in a certain position between the sun and the earth. Jurists follow the astronomical and scientific data that does not contradict the religious texts.  For example, they use that data for situations of negative assessment whereby the astronomical data asserts the impossibility of sighting the crescent in a certain area.  In those cases, any human reports of sightings would be ignored.  In addition, the astronomical data can be used to establish the possibility of sighting under clear conditions without barriers such as smoke or dust in the air.  Astronomical experts say that “the date and time of each New Moon can be computed exactly but the time that the Moon first becomes visible after the New Moon depends on many factors and cannot be predicted with certainty.”  For the full report, visit http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/islamic.php

Most Jurists do not accept the sighting with the aided eye because in interpreting the above-mentioned verse, they believe the requirement is a sighting with the normal naked eye, making the use of a telescope or binoculars unwanted.  In fact, using that equipment might be a violation if technology allows us to find and see the moon even when it is in direct sunlight.

Sharing the Same Night vs. Sharing the Same Curve of Sighting

Once the sighting is established in a certain location on earth, does it follow that all other locations can follow that declaration?

A small number of Jurists say yes to the above question in that once the New Crescent is sighted in one location on earth, all other locations sharing the same night can accept that New Crescent declaration (night being defined as sunset to dawn).  This opinion is known as “Sharing the same Night” or Wihdat al-Ofuq.  To elaborate further, this means, if the New Crescent is sighted in Detroit, then it can also be established for those in the United Kingdom because sunset time in Detroit is before dawn in the United Kingdom, hence they share the same night.  Similarly, if the New Crescent is sighted in Los Angeles, it is also established for those in New York City because the two cities share the same night.  His eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid al-Khoei was the most notable scholar who adopted this opinion, may Allah bless his soul.

On the other hand, most other scholars have the view of “Sharing the same Curve of Sighting” or Ta’adud al-Afaq.  Most notable among these scholars is his eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani, may Allah prolong his life.  The opinion states that each location has its own curve of sighting that is distinct and separate from others unless there is a binding relationship between the two locations that assures a sighting in one means a sighting in the other.  This happens when the New Crescent carries very similar characteristics such as size and altitude between the two locations, according to certain astronomical data if it produces certainty.  This is in accordance with a response from the office of his eminence from the Holy City of Najaf.

Based on the above, the Crescent Committee of the Council of Scholars issues a release of information regarding the confirmation of the New Crescent sighting, reflecting the opinion of the majority of Muslim scholars, at the forefront of whom is Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani, may Allah prolong his life.  However, the followers of other scholars should refer back to their respective verdicts regarding this topic.

How the Monthly Releases Are Issued

1. The members of the Committee study the conditions of the New Crescent, both astronomically and mathematically, and identify the expected areas of sighting for the New Crescent.  They also look at areas where astronomers say a sighting is possible in order to produce further support and assurance in reports of sighting.  This is all in accordance with the verdict of Sayyid Sistani, may Allah prolong his life.
2. The members of the Crescent Committee make numerous contacts with trusted believers in areas of expected New Crescent sightings to prepare for the sighting.
3. The Committee receives telephone calls from faithful believers about news of their sightings.
4. The Committee will then hold a conference call that may last late into the night due to the time difference in sunset between the eastern and western areas of North America.
5. The Committee will make the final decision late at night and share the declaration via the internet.

Our Hope for the Believers

To emphasize piety, preserve the sanctity of the community, and with the hope of remaining organized, we would like to point out the following to the believers:

1. We must understand the nature of the different views of the grand religious leaders and their jurisprudence opinions.  We will continue to be their followers and it is not permitted for any of us to hold our personal opinions above theirs.
2. We ask the believers who disagree with the majority in identifying the Eid to observe their personal fasting obligation.  If they wish to have group prayers, then they should have it the following day as a recommended prayer with the intention of "seeking of acceptance".
3. For the purpose of taking leave from work for Eid celebration, the status of crescent sighting must be monitored through internet websites.  When there are tied possibilities in determining the likely day, it is best to try taking leave from work for two days instead of one, giving the family a larger share of time together.
4. It is important to take into consideration the feeling of family members.  For example, it is possible that the parents are followers of Ayatollah Sayyid Al-Khoei but the children follow Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani.  This might also be the case between a husband and a wife.  In those situations, it is important to cooperate to resolve this religious infliction and not allow it to become a source of contention within the family.