FCNA Decides Ramadan Dates

FCNA Press Release

The First day of Ramadan will be Tuesday, July 9, 2013

and Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, August 8, 2013,  insha’Allah

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.” Qur’an 2:183

(May 31, 2013) The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of Lunar months including the months of Ramadan and Shawwal.   FCNA uses Makkah al-Mukarrama as a conventional point and takes the position that the conjunction must take place before sunset in Makkah and the moon must set after sunset in Makkah.

On the basis of this method the dates of Ramadan and Eidul Fitr for the year 1434 AH are established as follows:

1st of Ramadan will be on Tuesday, July 9,2013 2013

1st of Shawwal will be on Thursday, August 8, 2013

Ramadan 1434 AH:  The Astronomical New Moon is on July 8, 2013 (Monday) at 7:14 Universal Time (10:14 a.m. Makkah time). Sunset at Makkah on July 8 is at 7:07 p.m., while moonset is at 7:08 p.m. The Moon is born before sunset in Makkah and the moonset is after sunset.  Therefore first day of Ramadan is Tuesday, July 9, insha’Allah. First Taraweeh prayer will be on Monday night.

Eid ul-Fitr 1434 AH:  The Astronomical New Moon is on August 6, 2013 (Tuesday) at 21:51 Universal Time. (12:51 a.m. on August 7, Makkah time). On Tuesday, August 6, sunset at Makkah is 6:57 p.m. and moonset is 6:29 p.m. The Moon is born after sunset in Makkah and the moon sets before sunset.  On Wednesday, August 7, sunset at Makkah is 6:56 p.m. and the moonset is at 7:07 p.m.  The Moon is born before sunset, while the moonset is after sunset. Therefore, first day of Shawwal, i.e., Eidul Fitr is Thursday, August 8, insha’Allah.

May Allah (swt) keep us on the right path, and accept our fasting and prayers, Ameen.  For more detailed information, please visit: www.fiqhcouncil.org or www.moonsighting.com.

Islamic Shura Council of Southern California 

The Islamic Shura Council is an umbrella organization of Mosques & Muslim organizations serving the Muslims of Southern California. Since 1995, the Council continues to foster the spirit and culture of “working together” at all levels in one of the most diverse and largest Muslim populations in the country.

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