Moon Sighting Statement - Ramadan 2005

“Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,” Quran II:183

RAMADAN 1426 AH (2005 CE)

The Islamic Society of North America, in consultation with the Fiqh Council of North America, will follow the position taken by the Islamic Shura Council of North America, which is: A CONFIRMED CRESCENT SIGHTING REPORT IN NORTH AMERICA WILL BE ACCEPTED AS LONG AS SUCH A REPORT DOES NOT CONTRADICT INDISPUTABLE ASTRONOMICAL INFORMATION.

SHA’BAN: Sha�ban moon was sighted on September 4, 2005 in Arizona and California. September 5 being the first day of Sha�ban, the 29th day will be October 3, 2005.

RAMADAN: The available data indicates that the astronomical new moon will occur on Monday, October 3, 2005 at 10:28 Universal Time. On October 3, this moon is going to be 15 hours old on the west coast of USA, and still impossible to see because it is in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be too low on the horizon in North America and will set in 5 to 15 minutes after sunset. Therefore, it cannot be seen in North America nor in the Middle East/Far East on October 3. On October 4, it will be visible in most of the world, except most of Asia and Europe. If the Hilal is not visible on October 3, 30 days of Sha�ban will be completed and the first day of Ramadan will be on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 for North America and most of the world, insha�Allah.

ISNA is prepared to receive moon sighting reports on the evening of Monday, October 3, 2005, for Ramadan. The reports will be evaluated for authenticity. Please do not leave messages requesting moon sighting and Ramadan information as ISNA is unable to return your call on that evening.

PROCEDURES FOR TAKING MOON SIGHTING REPORTS: ISNA will take the information and have its consultants call you for further details to verify the sighting. Please stay by your phone and keep the line open. A conference call will be held with members of Islamic Shura Council of North America. It will include the leaders of the National Shura member organizations, members of the Fiqh Council, Muslim astronomer consultants, and sighting coordinators at the ISNA headquarters. They will review the reports and reach a conclusion regarding the beginning of the Islamic lunar month. The decision will be immediately posted on the Internet:

www.isna.net
www.Hilal-Sighting.com
www.Hilal-Sighting.com

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION, please call 317-839-8157.

TO REPORT A MOON SIGHTING, please dial 317-839-1803.

You may access the moon sighting information on the INTERNET at www.moonsighting.com and at www.Hilal-Sighting.com