Ramadan 2009

M.A.L.I.
Muslim American Logic Institute
Statement on Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr

As-Salaam Alaikum,

On Thursday August 20, 2009 the new Moon will be born at approximately 5:00 a.m. EST. On that day the Sun sets at approximately 8:15 p.m. EST. On the same day the Moon will set at approximately 8:25 p.m. EST. At the time of sunset the age of the New Moon will be 15 hours and 15 minutes.

At this time the Moon will be setting closely with the Sun, so The New Crescent of Ramadan cannot be sighted in the United States. In the Southern Hemisphere it may be possible to see but not in the Northern Hemisphere, in the United States.

On Friday, August 21, 2009 the New Moon will be 39 hours and 15 minutes in age and the altitude will be 6 degrees above the horizon. The angle of separation, degrees between the Sun and the Moon, will be 21 degrees. This makes it possible to see the New Crescent on this date marking the first night of Ramadan.

M.A.L.I. is offering a system for starting the Month of Ramadan and determining the Eid Al-Fitr that will help solve some problems that we have been having. It is practically not possible to sight the New Crescent on the evening before the Eid and be prepared for the Eid. Children have to be taken out of school, employees and employers have to be notified, the place and food for the Eid has to be prepared, along with other logistics of preparing for the Eid. Therefore, we take another look at the reading of the Qur’an to help solve these issues without deviating from the obedience of Allah.

In the Qur’an it reads: “O you (soul) as one wrapped up in garments. Stand the night (for prayer) except a little of it; half of it or a little less. Or increase it a little more and read the Qur’an in slowly and correctly (as to realize its meanings). Soon we will cause you to meet with a heavy word. Surely the rising of the night is stronger in terms of preparation and establishing the soul.”

The Qur’an also reads: “We appointed for Moses thirty nights, and completed (the period) with ten (more): thus was completed the term with his Lord, forty nights…”

From the above verses we are concluding that the possibility of the sighting of the New Crescent can be sighted on August 21, 2009. This time of the setting of the Sun (Magrib) begins the counting of the first night. And it is in the night that we stand in the reading of the Qur’an the prayers in preparation of the soul. We are to count and stand for thirty (30) nights, whereas at the end of the thirty we have the Eid Al-Fitr to complete the month of Ramadan. Thereby, the Eid Al-Fitr will be on September 20, 2009.

Symbolically, this ritual of fasting and preparation will bring us to a return to, or a new birth, return to the original nature that G-d placed in our first Father. Adam – Eid Al-Fitr.

Then, we have ten more nights of Thul-Hijjah, whereas at the completion of those nights we have the Eid Al-Adha. That is symbolically speaking the “Return of the Greater Light,” the consciousness or enlightenment of the “Original Nature” that G-d has placed in all of us. This is referenced to the enlightenment that G-d placed in our second Father, Abraham.

New Crescent Sighted: August 21st
First Day of Fasting: August 22nd
Eid Al-Adha: September 20th

Following this Logic will help solve our problems.

Thank you for taking the time to read this presentation.

Salim MuMin
Director of M.A.L.I.
mali@muslimamericanlogic.com