Statement by Mufti Taqi Usmani

"If it is certainly proved that the moon and its sighting is not at all possible on a particular evening, the evidence of only a few persons should not be taken as a proof of existence of moon at the horizon and the Ramadan or Eid should not be started on that basis alone unless there is evidence of people in overwhelming numbers that they themselves have seen the moon in which case it may be said that there was something wrong in the astronomical calculation. But in the absence of such an evidence, the only evidence of two or some more persons should not be relied upon. This view of mine is based on the ruling given by a large number of jurists that if the Horizon is clear the evidence of two persons is not enough for proving a crescent moon unless it is established by the evidence of a great number of people about whom it is not is not imaginable that they may have connived to give a false evidence".

Source: Mufti Taqi Usmani www.albalagh.net/qa/moon_sighting_Saudi_Arabia.shtml

ISNA's own expert does not endorse Wednesday's unreliable moon sighting reports

After declaring ISNA's decision for Eidul Fitr 1426 Br. Khalid Shaukat writes "This is put here for information only not as an endorsement." Khalid Shaukat (statement taken from Br. Khalid Shaukat's website on Wednesday November 02, 2005)

Br. Khalid Shaukat also writes: "The Moonsighting Committee of the Majlis as-Shura of Philadelphia has determined by sure astronomical data that the alleged moonsighting accepted by the Fiqh Council is in error, and has declared their `Id for Friday, November 4th."

Source: Khalid Shaukat, www.moonsighting.com

Eid al-Fitr is on Friday, November 4, 2005

The Committee has determined that Friday is the day of Eid al-Fitr for North America.

The Committee did not receive any valid, reliable reports of Shawal Crescent Moon Sighting. The only telescopic sighting claim from Arizona by a reputed astronomer was not strong enough to fulfill the Shariah requirement of "overwhelming evidence". Out of a group of ten, only he claims to have seen the Moon through the trees and in his own words, "The image of the Crescent Moon was not sharp". Others, including another experienced observer were unable to see it, despite Jim's repeated attempt to show it to others.

Jim's own words: The Moon wasn’t visible through the breaks until 17:43 at the predicted time and position. The image was dull and smooth, and I didn’t note any other characteristics, because I wanted the others to see it. However, at least four other people tried, but were not successful.

All naked eye sighting reports including those from Chicago, IL and Jacksonville, FL, were not valid, as a naked eye sighting was out of question by all astronomical standards.

Source: The Committee For Crescent Observation International

North American Ulema Council announces Eidul Fitr 1426 on Friday

Announcement of Eid: There was no crescent sighting tonight, Wednesday, Ramadan 29, anywhere in the whole North America. Therefore Eid will be on Friday, Nov. 4, 2005.

Source: www.ulemacouncil.com

Zaytuna’s Announcement Regarding Eid Al-Fitr 1426/2005

Zaytuna Institute adheres to the traditional principal that Islamic months begin and end based on the confirmed and verifiable sighting of the new crescent moon.

While there have been claims of moonsightings on Wednesday November 2nd, they are extremely few and Zaytuna has been unable to establish their veracity and reliability according to the criterion we employ for establishing certainty that the moon has been sighted. For those who personally feel certain that the moon was sighted, we welcome and encourage you to celebrate a blessed Eid on Thursday, however, Zaytuna Institute will be celebrating Eid on Friday, November 4th insha'Allah. Click Here for a statement by Imam Zaid on the matter.

Source: www.zaytuna.org

ISNA Consultants Failed Muslims

ISNA consultants ratified a “naked-eye sighting” claim by a lone witness from Phoenix, AZ against unanimous opinion of the astronomers. ISNA Muftis instantly approved this claim as “credible” against overwhelming odds and declared Eid on the last day of Ramadan.

What happened to the scientific rule of “repeatability” before accept a claim? Why did ISNA experts fail to consider the simple fact that all others who were present at the same location with this person were unable to see any moon? Why did ISNA Fiqh Council throw the “Ghalabat-al-Yaqeen” (Near-certainty), and “Jamun Azeem” (a large number of witnesses from a town, if the sky is clear) requirements out of the window for ending Ramadan month? Were they that desperate to have Eid with those who started Ramadan on Tuesday Oct. 4 (that) they asked Muslims to miss a day of obligatory Ramadan fasting?

Incompetent ISNA Astronomical Consultants

Let us analyze the role of ISNA’s two astronomical consultants (Mohib and Salamah) in Eid fiasco and their amazing incompetence. ISNA, until 10:00pm on November 2, 2005 has been proclaiming:

All Muslim astronomical consultants are unanimous that with NAKED EYE it is IMPOSSIBLE to see it anywhere in North America.