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....

Based on reports of sightings of the new moon received from different areas in North America, we would like to announce that tomorrow Thursday June 5th 2008 is the first day of Jamadi Ath'thani 1429 A.H.

The Hellal Committee of the Conference of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America would like to announce that at sunset on Monday 5th of May, the new crescent was not seen. Also there has been no astronomical prediction of it being seen.

Recently, Reverend Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England, delivered a speech about the possibilities of having an Islamic legal system implemented in Britain. His words about the inevitability of introducing Islamic religious law in Britain caused a media frenzy, as some individuals and organizations politicized his statements, shifting the focus from a legitimate social and legal debate, to a perceived struggle between Islam and the West.

By Sayyid M. B. Kashmiri
Scholar and Director of I.M.A.M.
The office of Imam Mehdi Association of Marjaeya

Assalamu Alaikum,

Based on the possibility of sighting the crescent at sunset Thursday February 7th, 2008 in some of the western parts of North America, the Crescent Committee of the Council of Muslim Shia Scholars in North America held its monthly meeting to determine the beginning of the Month of Safar. After investigating, the members of the committee were not able to identify and did not receive any reports of sightings of the crescent from any place in North America.

Assalamu Alaikum,

Based on proof of observation of the new crescent in many cities including New York, New Jersey, Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Dallas, tomorrow January 10^th 2008 is the first day of Muharram 1429.

Therefore day of Ashoura will be...

To the believers in North America,
Peace and blessings from Allah be upon you.

It is natural to have differences in determining the beginning of the Islamic months based on the different religious opinions of our Jurists (Fuqaha'), but what has happened this year with certain entities in the Holy Land of Mecca declaring Monday, December 10th, 2007 as the beginning of the month of Thul-Hijja has caused great confusion amongst the Muslims and therefore demands further explanation of the situation.

Dear Believers in North America,

As-Salaam Alaikum.

The Helal Committee members of The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America held a conference call in regards to the Helal of the First day of Thul-Hajj, tonight December 10th at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

I.M.A.M. has been trying to gather reports and data about moon sightings. The following has been established in regards to the 1st day of Shawal (Eid al-Fitr) for the followers of Sayed al-Seestani: