Tuesday, September 21, 2010

U.S. mosques Rely Define Fall Astronomy for Eid

Map of the Muslim Population by Percentage in ...Image via Wikipedia
 A few days before the end of Ramadan fasting usually rushing to welcome Idul Fitri deeply felt, although the exact date of the celebration could not be determined with ordinary calendar. However, many mosques in America rely on astronomical calculations to determine the arrival of the new moon.


Every year, close to Ramadan, Muslims must wait for the statement that the new moon is visible and the panel affirmed the local clergy, which means fasting of Ramadan begins the next day.

Confusion also often occur in the calculation of the end of Ramadan which is the determination of the fall of the date of celebration of Eid. Jameelah Monraj, a housewife, says this uncertainty makes it difficult Lebaran holiday arrangements for their children, requests leave of absence from the workplace, and even the Idul Fitri celebration itself.

"If we invite people to berlebaran we do not know for sure whether our guests come tomorrow or the next day. It is difficult to determine when to cook dishes Lebaran to guests, "said Monraj.

Many other Muslims also complain. The priests said not knowing when to rent the building for Eid prayers. Because many people use local time observation month or international law, Idul Fitri is celebrated on different days in America.



Moon
NASA
Seeing the moon is the conventional method in determining the fall of Idul Fitri.

Now, after a long debate Fiqh Council of North America announced is no longer rely on observation of the moon, but the use of modern astronomy to determine the beginning and the end of Ramadan.

With this new calculation system, if the new moon is visible before noon Greenwich time, the next day was the first day of Ramadan.

However, not all mosques will follow this new way of counting. Irfan Kabirudin, the Islamic community in Baltimore priest says, "If people around the world have made the calculation that since 1400 years ago, and now we say it is difficult to implement, I think it's not the right reasons," said Kabirudin.

However, according to the Fiqh Council of America, many Islamic countries have been using modern astronomical calculations to determine the Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, such as Turkey, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia. Based on that calculation, this year the Indonesian Muslim community in America since two weeks ago was certainly going to celebrate Idul Fitri on Friday, September 10, 2010.
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Location: Balung, Indonesia