Alhamdulillah! Ramadan 1445 AH will
begin in most of the countries of the world on Monday, 11th March 2024.
(Based on:
1. “If on the 29th day of the lunar
month the two following conditions are satisfied, then the next day is the
first day of the new lunar month:
1. The geocentric conjunction occurs
before sunset.
2. The moon sets after the sun.
Otherwise, the current lunar month
will last 30 days. ” - Rules for the Umm al-Qura calendar.
2. The criteria are that after
conjunction somewhere on the globe, at local sunset, the angle between sun and
moon should be at least 8°
and moon should be at least 5° above horizon. If these conditions are met, the month
starts the next day; otherwise the month starts on the day following next day.
)
We wish all our viewers “Ramada
Kareem” !
Today is 29th Saban 1445 AH based on
above criteria.
The Astronomical New Moon
(conjunction) was on March 10, 2024 (Sunday) at 9:00 UT.
On March 10, the new moon can not be seen in most
of the world, except by telescope in Americas and with difficulty in Polynesian
Islands. On March 11, the moon can be seen with difficulty in Australia and New
Zealand, but can be seen easily in the rest of the world. On March 12, it can
be seen easily in the whole world.
Some countries of the world declared first day
of Ramadan on 12th March or 13th March 2024 based on local crescent sighting or
the declaration of local waxing crescent sighting. So, the
timing of this year's beginning of Ramadan in the Islamic countries reach in
three days.
On the occasion of the difference
and disagreement in the timing of this year's celebration of Ramadan in the
Islamic countries which reached three days that this matter is regrettable time
when modern science, particularly astronomy, has reached a high degree of
advancement and precision.
One of the objectives of Islamic
religious seasons and feasts is that they are occasions for celebration,
reflection and rapprochement of hearts among Muslims in all countries in
specific common times. This unity appears also in the form of these
celebrations which have a great impact on the unity of feelings and positions.
It seems that these religious
occasions have recently become occasions reflecting the division of Muslims
instead of their unity with a negative impact on others image about them. This
is indeed a huge mistake that runs contrary to the objectives of religion as
regards these sacred occasions.
Organization of Islamic Countries :
OIC has addressed this issue since the 1980s examined it in various meetings
and adopted numerous resolutions In view of the abovementioned considerations
he will request the International Islamic Fiah Academy - in its new framework –
to reconsider the standardization of the Islamic calendar proceeding from the
provisions of religion and the constant principles of modem science with a view
to adopting a unified global Islamic calendar in all Muslim countries. This
will reflect the unity of Muslims during their feasts and celebrations.
We appeal to the religious and
official authorities in the Muslim world to collaborate with the OIC to put an
end to division and disagreement in this regard.
Now, we have to implement to the
following resolution on the Unified Hijri Calendar of OIC.
RESOLUTIONS ON CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND
FAMILY AFFAIRS ADOPTED TO THE 45TH SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
(SESSION OF ISLAMIC VALUES FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE, SOLIDARITY AND DEVELOPMENT)
DHAKA – PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH 05-06 MAY 2018 19-20 SHA’BAN 1439 H
D) THE UNIFIED HIJRI CALENDAR
Taking into account the pressing
need for the unification and standardization of the Hijri Calendar which will
reflect the unity of Muslims during the feasts and celebrations;
Taking note of the conclusions of
the scientific symposium on unifying the Hijri Calendar held in Tunis on 11
June 2009 in presence of the OIC General Secretariat, the International Islamic
Fiqh Academy and the Member States, which include the following:
Take into account scientific facts
and fixed and accurate astronomical calculations.
Need to rely on vision while making
use of astronomical calculations and observatories and to Make use of Al-Shahid
System of the Tunisian Scientist Mohamed Al Awsat Al-Iyari.
Taking also note of the
International Conference of the Unity of Hijri Calendar, hosted by the Turkish
Administration of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) in May 2016 in Istanbul to which
scientists, astronomers and officials from around 50 countries attended.
Recalling all previous resolutions
supporting Dar Al-Iftaa in implementing the satellite project in cooperation
with Cairo University and the Center for Aerospace Studies and Consulting in
the Arab Republic of Egypt, and stressing the importance of implementing the
project proposed 15 years ago with the aim of unifying the Hijra calendar in
Islamic countries as an embodiment of their unity;
1. Calls on OIC Member States and
institutions and civil society organizations to financially contribute towards
the establishment and manufacturing of the Islamic satellite.
2. Requests the Secretary General to
take all necessary measures in this regard in coordination with Dar
al-IftaaAl-Misriyhah with a view to starting the effective implementation of
this project.
3. Calls upon all the Member States
and Islamic institutions to implement previous resolutions to support the Fatwa
Institution in implementing the satellite project with the cooperation of
University of Cairo and Centre for Space Studies and Consultations in the Arab
Republic of Egypt, and through cooperation with Turkish Administration of
Religious Affairs (Diyanet).
4. Takes into consideration the
efforts exerted by the United Arab Emirates to achieve the unity of Muslim
countries through the two meetings of the sharia scholars and astronomers held
in (1438/2016– 1439/2017) that agreed to the unification of the Hijri
calendar."
5. Requests the Secretary-General to
follow up the issues incorporated in this resolution and report thereon to the
46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Source : https://www.oic-oci.org/docdown/?docID=1878&refID=1078
page 10 - 11
Update: Sunday, 10th March 2024, 3.35 PM GMT.
