Subject: Fwd: Clarification on the Chilean Moonsighting Report To: Qamar Uddin On Thursday, October 10, 2013 7:46 AM, Muhammadi Masjid wrote: Assalamu alaikum, Respected Ulema, Brothers and Sisters in Islam, Regarding the crescent sighting for the month of Dhul Hijjah 1434 on the night of Saturday October 5, 2013, there have been reports of a sighting in Chile. The purported sighting was by a single observer using binoculars in Vina del Mar, Chile and was posted on makkahcalendar.org. Based upon this report, various Masajids and Islamic organizations are considering observing the start of the month of Dhul Hijjah from Sunday, October 6, 2013. The purpose of this email is to shed light upon this reported sighting in Chile and why we have deemed it unacceptable and have decided to complete 30 days of Dhul Qadah and observe the month of Dhul Hijjah from Monday October 7, 2013. Question: Assalamu alaikum, According to moonsighting the moon was sighted in Chile: Seen by Binoculars only: Gonzalo Contreras (Contact of MakkahCalendar.org) from Playa Las Salinas, Viña del Mar reported: On October 5, moon was seen by 10x50 binoculars. ISO: 200 Exposure: 0.6 seconds. f= f/5. Focal Distance: 200 mm. Camera: Canon Rebel kXTi Lens: zoom 70-300 mm. 05/10/2013 20:33 local time (23:33 UT). So should we accept this and perform Eid on Thursday, October 15, 2013? Answer: Walaikumssalaam, This is merely a report (Khabar)from the internet. We never accept just internet postings, as our Deen requires Sharee Shahaadah (legal testimony) by Muslims. Alhamdulilah, we have direct contact with the Hilal Sighting Committee of Chile. This committee is based in Iquique, Chile. Their members went to sight the moon on a mountain hill with an Aalim (Scholar) and three Moonsighting Committee members. They did not sight the moon. Shariah dictates that the decision should be made solely on the grounds of Sharee Shaahadah. This report from Chile is not reliable for the following reasons: 1) The report is by a non-Muslim. We inquired from makkahcalender.org regarding the religion of this photographer, and they replied that they are unaware of his religion. 2) This is mere News (Khabar) from internet sources, not a Sharee Shaaadah (legal testimony). For it to become a Sharee Shahaadah, it has to be reported to the local Muslim authorities. 3) It clearly contradicts Chilean Hilal Committees decision. The Hilal Committee of Chile: The Hilal Committee of Chile consists of Ulama Kiraam (Scholars of Deen) & practicing Muslims in Chile. In the city of Iquique, Moulana Salman, Moulana Yousuf, Moulana Amir. In the capital of Chile, Santiago, Moulana Sulaiman Jada, Moulana Ahmad, Younus Bhai, Abdul Jaleel Nana, Amir Sahib and Nasir Bhai. Their contact information is available upon request. Here are the details of the Shahadah and the decision regarding the month of Dhul Hijjah, 1434 in Chile: Four members of the Hilal Committee went to sight the Hilal. We were Moulana Salman, Muhammad Yunus, Yunus Favorit and Nasir Khan. We left after Asr Salaah and arrived at the Hilal sighting location 15 minutes before Maghrib Salaah. The stars were clearly visible but the moon was not sighted. Thus we decided that the month of Zhul Qadah will complete 30 days in Chile and Eid al-Adha will be on Wednesday, October 16. For more information on Eid al-Adha Determination see: albalagh.net/qa/moon_qa.shtml albalagh.net/qa/moon_sighting_Saudi_Arabia.shtml chicagohilal.org/concerning-the-dates-for-eid-al-adha-and-hajj-by-maulana-abdullah-saleem/ chicagohilal.org/moon-sighting-fatwa-by-mufti-ebrahim-desai/ And Allah knows best, (Mufti) Noman Vazir Central Hilal Committee Coordinator of NY ----------------------------- Muhammadi Masjid 681 Elmont Road Elmont, NY 11003 Tel: 516-285-3439 muhammadimasjid.org
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:20:06 +0000
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