Why is Malaysia marking Aidilfitri a day earlier than Singapore?
One out of 29 lunar observation locations had sighted the new moon yesterday, leading to May 2 being declared the first day of Syawal.
According to Astro Awani, Federal Territories Mufti Luqman Abdullah said fair weather allowed the new moon to be sighted.
"This (year) is a bit different... One out of the 29 gazetted locations for observing the new moon reported a sighting.
"Hence, the Keeper of the Royal Seal had declared (May 2) as the first day of Syawal, unlike what was predicted previously," he said.
Luqman spoke to reporters yesterday after attending a moon sighting ceremony in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Islamic authorities across the world will attempt to sight the new moon on the 29th day of Ramadan after sunset.
In Malaysia, the criteria were that the new moon must exceed three degrees elevation and the degree of elongation of the sun and the moon must exceed 6.4 degrees.
"Based on these criteria, based on our calculations, it is difficult (to sight the new moon), but the possibility is there," said Luqman.
Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei had all declared May 2 as the first day of Syawal, while Singapore - which adopts the same criteria - stuck to May 3 as predicted because their Islamic authorities did not sight the new moon.
Singapore's Office of the Mufti, in a statement, explained that different start dates of the Islamic calendar for various countries were not uncommon.
It noted that in Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, the new moon was only visible at certain observation sites only.
"Their individual results are valid in their respective contexts," it said.
Apart from Singapore, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are among the countries which will make Aidilfitri on May 3.
For many years now , the exact day on which Hari Raya was observed has "for all practical purposes" been pre-fixed, just as in Singapre.
ReplyDeleteThe traditional norms and customs are still respected, with the Royal-appointed Islamic religious committees in each state going out to sight the moon , and the formal announcement made.
The advantages of a known and pre-fixed date are obvious both in terms of the management of the modern economy, and for ordinary folks, many of whom still buy meat and fresh produce from the market the day before Hari Raya , to be cooked.
I see the latest outcome as an exercise by the Turtle Egg administration to score points with its Traditional Malay base.
The proclamation being made by the Agong's representative gives it Royal approval, and makes it outright dangerous for anyone to criticise the decision.
Yes, I recall those "uncertain" days for Muslims
DeleteWith modern tools, I am amazed that we have to actually sight the crescent to declare end of Ramadan.
ReplyDelete