News Tip: Disputed Ramadan Dates Can Be Reconciled, Says Duke Scholar
Religion professor Ebrahim Moosa favors 'a scientifically based lunar calendar'
Islamic scholars disagree about how to determine the end of the month of Ramadan, which is followed by the holiday of Eid al-fitr. One school of thought, based in North America, uses an astronomical calculation to say it ends today. Another school of thought, based in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf area, relies on sightings of a crescent moon, and has just decided Ramadan ends today. Oman, however, holds that Ramadan ends Thursday and will celebrate Eid on Friday. Finally, Muslims in Pakistan and India also use the sighting method but may celebrate Eid on Friday or Saturday, depending on whether or not they see a crescent moon on Thursday.
Watch a video version of Moosa's comments.
Ebrahim MoosaProfessor of Religion and Islamic Studies, Duke University http://religiondepartment.duke.edu/people?Gurl=/aas/Religion&Uil=moosa&s... http://ebrahimmoosa.com/Twitter: @EbrahimMoosa
Quote:"Not only does the disagreement about the dates create confusion for ordinary Muslims, but also for people outside the Muslim community who are engaged in business or diplomatic relationships with Muslims.
"Tomorrow, some Muslims will be on holiday to observe Eid with friends and family, while others may be fasting and carrying on with normal business.
"My own view is it would be best for Muslims to adopt a scientifically based lunar calendar that would be predictable and certain. I think many more lay Muslims are adopting this view and hopefully this will become the new consensus."