By Hadi Yahmid, IOL Correspondent The Muslim Hands charity is preparing to provide help to thousands of poor people and orphans in France during Ramadan. (IOL photo)
PARIS — As French Muslims ready to greet the fast-approaching Ramadan, a Muslim charity is preparing to feed thousands of poor people and orphans in the European country during the fasting month.
"We hope our Ramadan campaign will be the real launch for the Muslim Hands charity in France," Kamal Al-Zein, the charity's exchequer, told IslamOnline.net.
Established in 1993 in Britain, Muslim Hands is an international NGO offering help to people affected by poverty, natural disaster and conflict around the world.
It has offices in more than 40 countries worldwide and has partnership with world relief organizations including the UN Food Program and UN children's fund (UNICEF).
Based in Faubourg Saint Denis district in the capital Paris, Muslim Hands made its first steps in France last year.
"Over the past year, we focused on gaining a legal status to the group and promoting its activities," he said.
Now, the group is preparing to start its charity work.
"Ramadan will see the group's first real chairty activity in France."
Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar, will fall this year in early September.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Food Packages
The Muslim charity is planning to distribute food packages among people affected by the soaring food prices.
"We have a deal with a local charity to distribute food packages during Ramadan to the needy, students, prisoners and refugees in La Courneuve in central France," said Zein.
Driven by the increased use of biofuels, the growing demand for grains to feed a booming Asia, droughts and market speculation, food prices have nearly doubled in three years.
This caused 50 million more people to go hungry last year, compared to the year before, according to UN figures.
"Our relief campaign is part of the Muslim Hands' work," said Zein.
"Last Ramadan, nearly 500,000 people from around the globe benefitted from our campaign."
The group is also running a series of projects for orphans and helping people affected by disasters and wars.
Zein said Muslim Hands hopes to make people financially independent.
"That is why we are running nearly 290 schools around the world,
because education is the gateway to the job market and making a decent living."
Holy Ramadan to start on September 1 in Azerbaijan
[13 Aug 2008 15:08 ]
Holy Muslim month, Ramadan will start on September 1 in Azerbaijan, Press Service of Caucasus Muslims Office told APA.
Holy Ramadan will last 30 days.
Laylat al-Qadr falls on 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th or 27th nights. Ramadan ends with the holiday Eid ul-fitr to be verified by the sighting of the new moon on September 30 or October 1.
Caucasus Muslims Office will give fetva on month of Ramadan.
A BAN on all alcohol sales in Bahrain's hotels and restaurants will be imposed for the fourth year running this Ramadan, tourism officials said yesterday.
Hotels had for years been allowed to serve alcohol after sunset during Ramadan, but a total ban was introduced in 2005. Live entertainment is also banned during Ramadan.
Drinking, eating and smoking in public is prohibited between sunrise and sunset, said an Interior Ministry spokeswoman. She said those violating the law would be arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution.
Based on astronomical calculations Ramadan is expected to take place from September 1 to September 30, said Bahrain Astronomical Society vice-president Professor Dr Waheeb Alnaser.
Ramadan is a Holy month for Muslims that occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and when the Holy Quran was believed to have been revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. Ramadan is held 11 days or so earlier each year.
During Ramadan Muslims are required to fast from sunset to sunrise and abstain from food, drink, smoking and sexual relations.
A devout Muslim should refrain from telling lies, backbiting and committing sinful acts while fasting. Muslims believe that if a person commits a sinful act while fasting, God will not reward him.
"The point is to control yourself, it's a moral and spiritual training programme,"
Ahmad Al Fateh Mosque (Grand Mosque) senior co-ordinator for the tourist visitors programme Farahat Al Kindy told the GDN.
"We are commanded by God to fast to show obedience to God and he is merciful that we can eat and drink at night. Fasting is also prescribed for the Christians and Jews.
"It's a chance to purify yourself and for God to forgive all your past mistakes. It's a chance to get rid of bad habits like smoking. Also it's a chance to pray and empathise with the poor and it leads to people being charitable."
Mr Al Kindy said Ramadan was a month of blessings and Muslims showed thanks to God by being charitable and giving food, clothes and money to the poor.
During this time Muslims were encouraged to forgive those that had offended them and clear up grievances. "We find Ramadan creates a spirit of brotherhood and unity among Muslims," he said. "It creates an atmosphere of peace and everyone is trying to be kind to everyone."
Mr Al Kindy said fasting helped to purify the body and eliminate toxins because it gave it a rest from food. He said those fasting should try to stay out of the sun and away from situations where they may be tempted to break their fast.
When they break their fast they should begin with dates and water, followed by a light meal, rather than eating several big meals in one sitting.
Mr Al Kindy said it was unfortunate that some Muslims used Ramadan as an opportunity to sleep all day and eat all night. However, he said this was not considered fasting and would not bring any benefits. "This is spoiling the meaning of Ramadan, no-one will benefit. "It's a shame because during Ramadan you should be more active and have less sleep. They should spend the night in worship, do their job in the day and fulfil their responsibilities and then go and have a rest just before they break their fast."
Mr Al Kindy said a Muslim was required to pray five times a day but in Ramadan they were encouraged to add an optional prayer after the ishaa (nightfall) prayer.
Many people choose to follow this optional prayer with a reading of the Quran and aim to complete the entire book by the end of the Holy Month. During the last 10 days of Ramadan Muslims wait for the night of Lailat Al Qadir, also known as the night of power.
They believe that prayers on that night will be answered and God will forgive the sins of those that repent. "We believe if we worship on this night of power which will occur on an specific day during the last 10 days of Ramadan then you will be rewarded like if you had worship for 1,000 months, which is the equivalent of 83 years," said Mr Al Kindy.
"This is because in the days of Noah and Adam people lived 1,000 years and had more years for worship, but now our life span may only be 50 to 60 years. So because our life span is going down, God compensates us on this night, so we should make an extra effort. And if you go for Omrah (pilgrimage) during Ramadan it's like you are performing the pilgrimage with Prophet Mohammed."
Mr Al Kindy said non-Muslims should show sensitivity to Muslims during Ramadan by eating, drinking and smoking in private.
It is also preferable that women dress appropriately. "If men see women in Ramadan they may be tempted to look at her and if he does he breaks his fast, so they should wear long sleeved clothes," he said.
"If invited for iftar I encourage non-Muslims to go, we welcome them to join us. I also recommended non-Muslims to try fasting, even for a few days."
The Grand Mosque will be open for visitors free of charge during Ramadan between 8.30am and 2pm. For more information contact 17727773. [email protected]
Greetings and peace be with you north_malaysian; thanks for all the encouraging stories.
Mosques across Saudi Arabia will open 24 hours a day under new plans to allow Muslims to pray at their convenience during Ramadan, the month of fasting which begins in September.
Under the proposals, unveiled yesterday by the Islamic affairs ministry, extra imams are to be drafted in to accommodate the annual increase in worshippers who spend longer hours at their local mosque. In Ramadan, Muslims lengthen the fifth and final prayer of the day and more time is given over to religious practices, such as reading the Qur'an and repeating phrases glorifying Allah.
A wonderful way to become closer to Allah during this holy time, We all need to spend more time glorifying and giving thanks to God.
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President George W. Bush on Friday offered his best wishes for Muslims around the world as they observe the holy month of Ramadan.
"I send greetings to Muslims observing Ramadan in America and around the globe," he said in a statement released by the White House. "Laura and I send our best wishes. Ramadan Mubarak."
"I thank the men and women of the Muslim community for their contributions to America. Your love of family, and gratitude to God have strengthened the moral fabric of our country. Our nation is stronger and more hopeful because of the generosity, talents, and compassion of our Muslim citizens," he said.
During Ramadan, which starts on September 1, observant Muslims eat a light pre-dawn meal and fast until sunset, a practice aimed at fostering self-discipline, sacrifice and empathy for the poor.
MANILA — As the fasting month of Ramadan draws nearer, a Catholic bishop has urged the Philippine government to cease hostilities in the Muslim-predominantly south during the holy month, to the deaf ear of the government.
"I would press the government not to continue the fighting even, especially at the Ramadan time," Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo said in a statement cited by the ABS-CBN News Online on Saturday August 30.
He suggested an "informal ceasefire" be reached between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) if the government refused to halt military operations in the south.
Ouevedo's call echoed a similar call by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Thursday, which issued a prayer for peace in the violence-wracked south.
"We offer this prayer as one nation and in solidarity with the Mindanao Bishops as well as the thousands of innocent people who are forced to evacuate and live in uncertainty and fear because of the current crisis and war," said CBCP president Angel Lagdameo.
The Philippine army has launched an offensive against MILF fighters in the southern island of Mindanao.
Nearly 200 people have since been killed in two week of fighting in Mindanao.
The fighting was triggered by a court ruling on August 4, to halt a peace deal between the MILF and the government over protests from Christian groups.
The deal had called for the establishment of a Muslim ancestral homeland in the south with its own "basic law," police and internal security force.
The region would have been allowed to run its own banking and finance system, civil service, education and legislative and electoral institutions.
It would also have been given full authority to develop and dispose of minerals and other natural resources within its territory.
Defiant
But Manila stood defiant to calls for halting military operations during Ramadan.
The government will not allow MILF groups "to use Ramadan to escape or avoid facing the consequence of the law," said press secretary Jesus Dureza.
"There is going to be no let-up in hunting down those who have to face the consequence of the law.
"But the forces on the ground will definitely exercise great sensitivity to the observance of Ramadan," said Dureza.
Earlier, lawmakers have called for a cessation of hostilities in Mindanao during the holy fasting month.
"The government will not allow those who are object of this manhunt to hide behind Ramadan to escape liability before the law," Dureza said, in comments on the lawmakers' call.
Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar, will fall this year in early September.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Mineral-rich Mindanao, Islam's birthplace in the Philippines, is home to ore than 5 million Muslims.
Muslims make up nearly 8 percent of the total populace in Catholic Philippines, which Islam reached in the 13th century about 200 years before Christianity.
KABUL — As the world is preparing to welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan, millions in war-torn Afghanistan are facing their worst humanitarian crisis in two decades.
"Up to five million Afghans face severe food shortages," said the British charity Oxfam in a statement on its website.
"Large parts of Afghanistan are facing crisis as a result of the cumulative effect of factors including the harsh winter, high food prices, drought, and increasing and spreading insecurity."
Oxfam cited the central Daikundi province as one of the hardest-hit where people are facing their worst humanitarian conditions in more than 20 years.
"Similar conditions can be found in other provinces," it warned.
The warning comes a few days before the advent of Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar, which falls this year in early September.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
"As it is almost impossible to deliver aid to rural areas during the harsh Afghan winter, concerted action is needed now to avert the crisis," said Oxfam.
Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world with more than half of the population living below the poverty line.
The country is so destitute and undeveloped that most inhabitants have no central heating, electricity or running water.
According to the international policy think tank Senlis, more than 70 percent of Afghans are chronically malnourished, with less than a quarter having access to safe drinking water.
Action Needed
Oxfam called an urgent action to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the war-torn country.
"This is a race against time," said Matt Waldman, Oxfam's Head of Policy in Kabul.
"The international community needs to respond quickly before winter when conditions deteriorate."
Many areas in Afghanistan are virtually inaccessible in winter because of snow, poor roads and worsening security, hindering the delivery of aid and food.
About 1,000 people died in the last, exceptionally severe winter marked by bitter cold and heavy snowfall.
"The health of one million young children and half a million women is at serious risk due to malnutrition," said Waldman.
In a letter to development ministers around the world, Oxfam called for help to meet the funding shortfall and to support Afghanistan's agriculture sector and ability to cope with disasters.
"We believe the current situation requires a major humanitarian response," the letter said.
"If the response is slow or insufficient, people could be forced to sell assets or leave their homes and villages, and there could be a further deterioration of stability.
"Infant, child and maternal mortality rates – already some of the world's highest – could increase even further."
Child mortality rates in Afghanistan are among the highest in the world, and one out of every five Afghan children (or 191 out of every 1,000 live births) will not survive beyond age five.
CAIRO — Showing courtesy to Muslim employees, a local council in east London is urging non-Muslim members not to eat or drink during meetings with Muslim colleagues during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, reported the Daily Mail on Friday, August 29.
"It is requested that members do not partake of any refreshments until after the iftar (fast breaking) refreshments are served," John Williams, head of Tower Hamlets Council's democratic services, said in an e-mail to non-Muslim council members.
The order is part of special arrangements made by the council for the holy dawn-to-dusk fasting month.
The arrangements also include giving Muslim employees a 45-minute break during evening meetings to allow them break their fast and perform prayers.
Muslim members would also be offered iftar packs including tea, coffee, sandwiches and special Muslim snacks at the time of iftar.
The council's agenda has also been reduced during Ramadan to include only seven committee meetings all over the month.
Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar, will fall this year in early September.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Courtesy
The arrangements have drawn reprimand from some council members.
"I was rather disconcerted to see that the arrangements put in place for Ramadan, which we support for Muslim colleagues, have been imposed upon all councilors," said Stephanie Eaton, leader of the Liberal Democrat group in the council.
"We object to the request that non-Muslim councilors observe the fasting rules for Ramadan."
Eaton warned that the measures could be offending to people of other faiths.
"This sends out the wrong message to our community," she said.
"Our community consists of a huge number of different religions, all of which should be valued, and no one religion should be accorded more status or influence than others."
But the council defended the arrangements.
"(The arrangements were in place) where it is not reasonable to expect members observing Ramadan, and who are required to attend a formal committee or other meeting, to travel home in time for sundown in order to break fast and undertake prayers," the council leaders said.
A spokesman for the council said the arrangements are only meant to show courtesy to Muslim members.
"All that's being asked for is courtesy to be shown to the sensitivities around some councilors eating during council meetings whilst others in the room are fasting.
"Non-Muslim councilors have simply been asked to ensure that there is iftar food available for Muslim councilors, because in previous years, Muslim councilors wanting to break their fast following prayers had found that the iftar packs had been eaten."
SARAJEVO — In a rare show of inter-ethnic unity, Bosnian Muslims, Serbs and Croats were united on Thursday, August 28, in condemning the first-ever gay festival to be held in the former Yugoslav republic.
"It is unnatural, sick and deviant behavior," said Rajko Vasic of the Social Democrats, who hold power in Bosnia's Serb entity of Republika Srpska, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The former Yugoslav republic's main religious and ethnic groups are infuriated by Queer Sarajevo Festival that will be organized by next month.
The controversial four-day event, to open on September 24 in the capital, Sarajevo, will tell through films, exhibitions and panels the life stories of gays and lesbians in the country.
"Bosnia is a conservative society," Amir Zukic, of the Party of Democratic Action, Bosnia's main Muslim party, told the local newspaper Dnevni Avaz.
"I doubt that such an event would be accepted."
Islam considers homosexuality to be clearly sinful.
Islam teaches that believers should neither do the obscene acts, nor in any way indulge in their propagation.
Bosnia, a small country on the Balkan Peninsula, is home to three ethnic "constituent peoples": mainly Muslim Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats.
Out of Bosnia and Herzegovina's nearly 4 million population, some 40 percent are Muslims, 31 percent Orthodox Christians and 10 percent Catholics.
Provocative
Ivo Tomasevic, a Croat leader, said the festival runs against the norms of the conservative Bosnian society.
The event is organized by "a small group of people promoting ideas which do not represent basic values," said Tomasevic, the Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bosnia.
The festival will be held at a time Bosnian Muslims are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"We respect freedom and tolerance," Zukic, of the Muslim party of Democratic Action, said.
"But the festival is a kind of provocation since it is taking place during Ramadan."
Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar, will fall this year in September.
In Ramadan, which is dedicated for spiritual growth, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
After breaking their fast, Muslims attend Tarawih, a special nightly prayers.
Muslims also dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer and self-restraint.
Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.
It is also customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur'an.
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 08/31/2008 9:35 PM | Business
State power company PLN has promised to prevent power cuts during the fasting month of Ramadan.
PLN operations director for Java and Bali, Murtaqi Syamsuddin, said the company would make every effort to avoid power cuts.
"But we also ask our customers not to use electricity excessively," he said, as quoted by Antara.
Murtaqi said to prevent power cuts, PLN would control power consumption, which unless controlled could go as high as 16,700 megawatts during its highest peak load this year from 16,250 megawatts last year.
The government expects to reach 16,000 megawatts of consumption during the average peak load through a number of retrenchment programs.
Murtaqi said the government's policy of shifting factories' non-working days to days other than Saturday and Sunday would cut industrial and business power consumption by 430 megawatts.
Under the policy, industrial customers must move two working days a month to Saturday and Sunday. Businesses such as malls, offices and hotels are subject to three-hour power cuts once a week during the peak load (6.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.). (dre)
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 08/31/2008 12:21 PM | National
Police in Medan, North Sumatra, ordered all entertainment places in the city to close down during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and would regularly conduct sweeping to ensure that no one breaks the rule.
Medan Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Sukamto said Saturday night he had made an agreement with the Medan mayoralty to revoke the operating licenses of those entertainment places that violated the rules by opening their services during the fasting month.
"That policy is part of the decisions taken during our recent coordination meeting with the Medan mayoralty," Bambang Sukamto was quoted as saying by Anara.
Bambang added that his personnel would also conduct raids and regular checks at public places against sharp weapons and firearms. (rid)
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 08/31/2008 11:57 AM | National
Thousands of Muslims in Jember regency, East Java, started their fasting on Sunday, while most Muslims in the country would start it on Monday.
Antara news agency reported that most of Muslims who started their fasting month early were the people living near the Mahfilud Dlulor Islamic boarding school in Suger Kidul village in Jelbuk district in Jember.
Head of the school, Ali Wafa, said that the decision to start fasting earlier was based on a rule stating that the beginning of the fasting month or Ramadhan fell five days after the same date of last year’s start.
He said that the rule was written on a book titled Nazahatul Majalis by Syech Abdurrohaman As Shufuri of the Syafi’i school. Ali Wafa said that his school had been using the rule since 1826 and the people near the school gradually followed suit.
Some Muslim groups in the country still differ in their interpretation of Koranic verses in conducting astronomical observations and calculation, raising differences in determining the exact date for the start of the fasting month and the end of the fasting month or Idul Fitri.
The Nahdlatul Ulama, which uses Koranic verses supporting rukyatul hilal or determining the start of Ramadan by seeing the moon with naked eyes, has planned to do the observation on Sunday night.
Separately, the Muhammadiyah Muslim group, which uses hisab or calculations, has announced that the start of the fasting month falls on Monday, tempointeraktif.com reported. (dre)
RABAT — Painting walls, cleaning up floors and buying new furniture, Moroccans are shining up mosques to welcome the sea of worshippers during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"We are preparing the mosque for Ramadan," Lahsan Mottahar, the imam of Al-Radwan Mosque in Casablanca, told IslamOnline.net.
Volunteers are racing time painting the mosque's walls, cleaning up the floors and buying new furniture.
Loudspeakers have been added to carry the recitation of the Noble Qur'an during the Tarawih, a special nightly prayers Muslims perform during Ramadan.
"This is how we show our joy welcoming the holy fasting month," says Mottahar.
Morocco will sight the moon of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, on Sunday, August 31.
This means Ramadan will start in the country either Monday or Tuesday.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint and good deeds.
Dear Ramadan
Khadijah joined fellow volunteers in cleaning up "Al-Harameen" mosque in Casablanca.
"We are shining up the mosque for worshippers to perform Tarawih prayers and study their faith," she told IOL.
"This is how we welcome the dawn-to-dusk fasting month."
Mustafa is also helping with the mosque cleaning effort.
"This is the way Moroccans show their love for performing good deeds in Ramadan."
It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur'an.
Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.
"Ramadan is a dear guest for Moroccans and we are doing our best to welcome the guest," said preacher Abdullah bin Oqba.
WORLD CAPITALS --The holy fasting month of Ramadan will start Monday, September 1, in most Arab and Gulf countries as well as North America and European countries.
Muslims in Malaysia will begin the Ramadan fast on Monday, September 1, according to a statement issued by the office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal on Sunday, August 21.
The Algerian Religious Affairs Ministry announced Sunday that the first day of the holy fasting month will fall on Monday.
Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, and most world countries announced Saturday, August 30, that Ramadan will start on Monday.
"There was no evidence of any person seeing the new crescent today," the Saudi Judicial Council confirmed in a statement.
Therefore, Sunday, August 31, will be the last day of the month of Sha`ban and Ramadan will fall on Monday, September 1, added the council.
Religious authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen and Mauritania issued similar announcements.
Divided politically, the Palestinians will be united in starting the holy fasting month on Monday after the religious authorities in both Gaza Strip and the west Bank issued statements to that end.
Sunni religious authorities in both Iraq and Lebanon announced Saturday that the new crescent was not sighted and that Ramadan will fall on Monday.
Syria's top Islamic judge confirmed that the holy month of Ramadan will start on Monday.
In Cairo, the grand mufti of Egypt confirmed that the new crescent was not sighted Saturday and that fasting will start Monday.
The minister of justice and religious affairs in Djibouti also announced Monday as the start of Ramadan.
Mauritania will observe Ramadan as of Monday.
During Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Monday Calculations
The European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) confirmed that Ramadan will fall on the first day of September based on astronomical calculations.
The French Council of the Muslim Faith, Central London Mosque, the imams' society in the Netherlands, the imams' association in Belgium and the Islamic Center in Milan decided to follow ECFR on the start of Ramadan.
Muslims in Bosnia and Serbia will observe the first day of Ramadan on Monday, the Islamic Sheikhdom of Bosnia and Serbia had said.
Croatian Muslims will follow neighboring Bosnia in observing the beginning of the holy fasting month.
Turkey's Presidency of Religion Affairs, the country's highest religious institution, had earlier announced Monday as the start of Ramadan based on calculations.
Muslims in Macedonia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bulgaria will be following Turkey in observing the dawn-to-dusk fast.
Muslims in Germany, Austria, Romania and Ukraine will fast on Monday based on calculations, according to Muslim organizations.
The Islamic endowment authorities in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia decided to follow Saudi Arabia and Egypt in observing Ramadan as of Monday.
Australian Muslims will start fasting Ramadan on Monday, according to the Islamic center in Canberra.
The deputy head of the Russian Council of Muftis told IOL Monday has been confirmed as the start of Ramadan according to astronomical calculations.
The head of the Islamic cultural center in Saint Petersburg told IOL that the Islamic republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Kirghizstan always follow Turkey in depending on astronomical calculations.
Muslim scholars in the Philippines also announced that Ramadan will fall on Monday based on astronomical calculations.
Most Muslims in China will be fasting Monday based on astronomical calculations.
The first day of Ramadan will fall in North America on September 1, according to astronomical calculations, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) has announced.
Sighting
Libya and Nigeria announced the start of Ramadan on Sunday, August 31.
Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritius, South Africa, Somalia, Jordan, Iran, and Bangladesh will sight the new moon on Sunday.
This means Ramadan will either fall Monday or Tuesday.
Indonesia's Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Muslim group, will sight the Ramadan moon on Sunday.
Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second largest group, has already announced that Ramadan will start on Monday.
Muslims in India, Pakistan and Kashmir will sight the new Ramadan moon on Monday.
Oman is the only country so far to start the fast on Tuesday.
Moon sighting has always been a controversial issue among Muslim countries, and even scholars seem at odds over the issue.
While one group of scholars sees that Muslims in other regions and countries are to follow the same moon sighting as long as these countries share one part of the night, another states that Muslims everywhere should abide by the lunar calendar of Saudi Arabia.
A third, however, disputes both views, arguing that the authority in charge of ascertaining the sighting of the moon in a given country announces the sighting of the new moon, then Muslims in the country should all abide by this.
This usually causes confusion among Muslims, particularly in the West, on observing the dawn-to-dusk fasting and celebrating the `Eid el-Fitr, which marks the end of fasting.
Ramadan Under Curfew in Kashmir
By Farooq A Ganai, IOL Correspondent
SRINAGAR — With tightened curfews and a shortage of essential commodities because of a Hindu economic blockade, Muslims in India-ruled Kashmir are bracing for hard times during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
"We have been waiting for the holy month of Ramadan like previous years," Reyaz Ahmad, from north Kashmir, told IslamOnline.net.
"But due to the present prevailing circumstances and curfew restrictions, it seems this year it would be very difficult to perform."
Indian authorities have slapped a tight curfew since Sunday, August 24, to block pro-independence demonstrations by the Muslim majority.
It was lifted briefly for four hours on Saturday, August 30, to allow Kashmiris to stock up for the holy fasting month before being re-imposed.
The curfew has prevented the publication of regional newspapers over the past week and those coming from New Delhi have not been distributed.
Local television executives and editors have also been ordered to suspend news programs and broadcast only entertainment.
Arif Hussain, from Srinagar city, complained that Kashmiri Muslims are under virtual house arrest.
"We hope this holy month of Ramadan will bring peace and freedom for us."
Kashmiri Muslims sights on Monday, September 1, the new crescent of Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Siege
Kashmiri Muslims are suffering from a shortage of essential commodities over a Hindu economic blockade imposed on the Muslim-majority region.
"When the whole Muslim world is enthusiastic about the holy month of Ramadan, we, the Muslims of Indian-held Kashmir, are facing problems in absence of essential commodities," a local imam in Kupwara told IOL.
"We even are unable to perform special prayers during these day."
Muslim worshippers were prevented by police from
performing the Friday prayer last week.
Most mosques in the region remained closed as people were forced to remain indoors.
Many Kashmiris still don't find food to buy for Ramadan.
Stores in Srinagar, home to one million Muslim, are already running out of supplies.
Kashmir is divided into two parts and ruled by India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars since the 1947 independence over the region.
Pakistan and the UN back the right of the Kashmir people for self-determination, an option opposed by New Delhi.
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The Muslim Hands charity is preparing to provide help to thousands of poor people and orphans in France during Ramadan. (IOL photo)
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