UAE SETS UP MOON-SIGHTING COMMITTEE FOR RAMADAN

Abu Dhabi, 28 Sya`ban 1436/15 June 2015 (MINA) – Sultan bin Saeed Al Badi, Minister of Justice of UAE, has ordered setting up of the moon-sighting committee for the holy month of Ramadan, WAM reported.

The committee chaired by Al Badi will include Mohammad Bin Hamad Al Badi, Undersecretary

of the Ministry of Justice, Yousuf Saeed Al Ibri, Deputy Director of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Dr Mohammad Obaid Al Mazroui, Executive Director of the General Authority for Islamic Affairs, and other prominent officials.

All Sharia courts in the UAE are instructed to inform the committee about the results of sighting at the Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department in the central, eastern and western regions of the emirate, IINA News quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The decision called on all the Shariah courts nationwide to look out for the crescent moon and inform the committee.

The committee will hold a meeting after Maghreb prayer on Tuesday, 29th of Sha’aban,1436, corresponding to June 16, at the Judiciary Department in Abu Dhabi.

Saudi to start Ramadan moon-sighting Tuesday

Saudi Arabia has called on Muslims to sight the moon on Tuesday night to decide whether the fasting month of Ramadan will begin on Wednesday or Thursday.

The Supreme Court said on Tuesday June 16 would be the 29th of the lunar month of Shaaban and urged citizens to report to any court in case the moon is sighted.

“All Muslims in the Kingdom are invited to sight the moon on Tuesday night. Those who sight it by naked eye or by telescope should go to the nearest court and testify to the sighting,” the Court said in a statement carried by local newspapers.

Saudi astronomers have ruled out  moon-sighting on Tuesday and expect Ramadan to begin on Thursday June 18.(T/R05/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)