BY ASANGAN T. MADALE
COTABATO CITY—Bangsamoro Mufti Sheik Abdulrauf Guialani spearheaded a meeting with Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ (BDI) to to announce that the moon sighting, which will determine the start of the holy month of Ramadan, shall be observed on Sunday, March 10, 2024.
Sheik Guialani the meeting was attended with some Ulama Leaders and religious sectors held last March 1, which the group have agreed the scheduled of moon sighting to the different designated places from the BARMM’s mainland and island provinces which include, Parang, Maguindanao del Norte, Timako Hills, Kalanganan II, Cotabato City, Lasdan, Linek, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, ,Iligan Bay, Iligan City, (Lanao Team), Sanga Sanga baywalk-Sunkist Seaside Pahut, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Pantalan, Jolo Sulu and Isabela, Isabela, Basilan.
Moon sighting is a Muslim tradition or religious event that has run for thousands of years across the world, where scanning the night sky for the first glimpse of a crescent moon heralds the start of Ramadan.
Abu Hurayra reported Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as saying:
“Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).” (Also Reported by Muslim)
Islam follows the Lunar or Hijri calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon cycle and has 354 days, unlike the solar or Georgian calendar that the rest of the world follows. Hence, the month of Ramadan is 10 or 11 days earlier every year.
Muslims across the world will inevitably see the new moon at different times and then start fasting as ordered by Allah. Allah says in the Quran:
“…So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month (of Ramadan), let him fast it…” Surah Al-Baqarah 2: Ayah 185)
Accordingly, the moon might appear in the sky for a short period, sometimes visible only for a few minutes.
Observers are required to be in position during that window in a remote location that is open, free of visual pollution & on high ground.
In the Bangsamoro region, the Office of the Chief Minister has yet to release a memorandum, adjusting the work schedule of government employees. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
Meantime, Dr. Rasid M. Paca Executive Vice President of the main campus and Officer-in-Charge have issued a Memorandum Order dated March 8,2024 declaring Monday, March 11, as Special Non-Working Holiday in observance of the commencement of the Holiy Month of Ramadan in the entire Mindanao State University System. (With special report from Kasan Usop Jr./BIO).
