December 11th, 2007 - Eid-ul-Adha Questions and Answers

[carym...@gmail.com]

Asalamalaykum,
There were some questions asked via the online Feedback Form which
some other people in the community have asked as well about how the
Cary Masjid decision was made, why is there a 2 day difference between
Raleigh and Cary Eid, and Tuesday the moon was thick and visible for
quite some time, etc.

We hope the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) below addresses your
concern.

The page with supporting links can be found here:
http://www.carymasjid.org/MoonsightingFAQ.htm

Here is the content of the page without links:

FAQ

Q1. What is the Cary Masjid's policy about the start of Islamic months
& Eid?
A1. The Cary Masjid's basis for the start of the Islamic months has
been the physical sighting of the moon with the naked eye supported by
the astronomical data for the possibility for moon sighting in North
America. This applies to the start of Ramadan, Shawaal, Zul-Hijja,
and the rest of the months as well.

Q2. Why doesn't the Cary Masjid do Eid-ul-Adha based on 10th Zul-
Hijjah in Saudi Arabia as the Day of Arafat occurs there?
A2. Eid-ul-Adha is indeed on the 10th of Zul-Hijjah. However, our
cirteria for the Islamic month is based on North American moon
sighting for every month so we do not follow the start of the month in
Saudi Arabia as a basis. A fatwa about this has been made available
on our website. I would like to request you read it as it is just
over a page in length.

Q3. Why didn't you do moon sighting in North America on Sunday
December 9th instead of Monday December 10th as they did in Saudi
Arabia?
A3. Based on our criteria, the start of the month of Zul-Qidah was
Monday November 12, 2007 as reported on www.moonsighting.com and
www.chicagohilal.com. Thus the 29th of Zul-Qidah was Monday,
December 10th, 2007. This would make the possible days for Eid-ul-
Adha Thursday (Dec 20) or Friday (Dec 21) based on the start of Zul-
Hijjah.

Q4. Did you go moon sighting here on Monday night?
A4. Yes, 4 brothers split up and went to two different locations in
the Raleigh/Cary area to sight the moon but did not see it.

Q5. Did anyone else in North America have a confirmed sighting of the
moon Monday night?
No. The sources above and on www.moonhotline.com were monitored for
any sightings for Zul-Hijja but there were no confirmed reports for
North America.
Based on this information, we declared the month of Zul-Qidah
would have a 30th day on Tuesday (Dec 11), Zul-Hijjah would start
Wednesday December 12, 2007 and Eid will be on the 10th of Zul-Hijjah,
Friday December 21, 2007. This is consistent with the Mufti Nawal-ur-
Rahman Shariah Board of America's decision which also uses moon
sighting in N.A.

Q6. Does that means there is a 2 day difference between the Raleigh's
Eid-ul-Adha and Cary's Eid-ul-Adha?
A6. Yes. This is due to different criteria being used. Ours is
stated here and a fatwa provided as well.

Q7. I saw the new moon at about after maghrib on Tuesday, 11th of
December which was very clear and big and stayed visible for some
time. New moon is not visible for more than few minutes. Was that the
moon for the 2nd day and Tuesday the first of Zul-Hijjah?
A7. It is possible for a thicker moon or one that is visible for
quite some time to be the first day's moon. I would like to request
you read how this is possible which addresses this very question.


Jazakallahkheir for your questions. We understand your concern and
hope that we have explained and addressed it. I would like conclude
this by letting you know that both of the masajids have the best of
intentions at heart and are basing their actions on their
understanding. I pray to Allah SWT that He guide all of us towards
the right path and to give us all hidayath, Ameen.

(Note: The page on the website has links for this article)