Moon Sighting vs Calculation: is Eid August 8 or 9?
Moon Sighting vs Calculation: EID August 8 or 9?
M.Akhtar Ph.D
With so many other critical issues that face Muslims today, we still quarrel about moon sighting for determining the start of Ramadan or Eid. It should not be that way. Muslims are divided – possibly 40 for moon sighting and 60 not. They disagree on so many other things and for so many reasons – legitimate or power driven - yet all Muslims are unanimous on the need to have one and the same day for Eid. Observing it collectively by thousands and millions of people the same day and sharing the joys or spirituality of the experience together enhances the impact manifold. This is established as a socio - psychological fact. So is the general requirement in Islam of praying together, and doing pilgrimage and other practic...