It is only logical to make use of technology for sighting of the new moon.
OAKVILLE, ON, CANADA: This is with reference to Dr Tariq Rahman’s article of September 4, titled “Why not have two Eids in one country?”. I think the writer is wrong about people in pre-modern days fasting a day more if they didn’t see the moon. If they hadn’t seen the moon, but were informed by someone else that the moon had been spotted, they would break their fasts and celebrate Eid on that day. They weren’t hung up about having to spot the moon in their own city or area. I have read that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and his companions were out and it was cloudy. They hadn’t seen the moon and were fasting on the 30th day of Ramazan. However, somebody passing by mentioned that the moon had been spotted. The Prophet (pbuh) immediately broke his fast as it is haram to fast on Eid.
With modern technology available today, it is only logical to make use of it to celebrate Eid on the sighting of the new moon according to scientifically calculations. Also, for those who talk about one Muslim nation, the centre of this nation would invariably be the Hijaz, where Makkah and Madinah are located, so when the moon is sighted in Saudi Arabia, that should be accepted by everyone.
Mustafa Moiz
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2011.
