Saturday, August 16, 2008

RAMADAN 2008:

Astronomically, Ramadan to start on Sep. 1st.

Aug. 15th, 2008: The Astronomical New Moon for Ramadan is on Saturday, August 30th, and the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for the Hijri year of 1429 will be Monday, September 1st. 2008 while Eid Al-Fitr will be on October 1st, 2008, according to astronomists.

Researcher and supervisor of Sharjah Planetarium Ibrahim Al-Jarwan said astronomical calculations say the Hilal (crescent) will be born on August 30th. at 23:58 local time. Sighting of the new moon which will be born 23:58 local time after the sun sets at 18:38 local time will not be possible.

In Islam, Moon Sighting determines the beginning and ending of Ramadan.

"On Sunday, August 31st. the 18-hour old moon will disappear 18:54 and will be visible only for 16 minutes", he added.

The last day of the dawn-to-dusk fasting month will be on Tuesday, September 30 and therefore the Eid Al-Fitr, one of the two main religious festivals on the Islamic calendar will be on Wednesday, October 1st.