Ramadan moon sighting expected today
KAMPALA. The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council on Tuesday advised the Muslim community in Uganda to watch for the moon today evening which will mark the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan.
Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Kakungulu, the Director of Sharia at the UMSC said that since today, June 16, 2015 is the 29th day of Shaban, the eight month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar, fasting is therefore expected to be either on Wednesday or Thursday, depending on whether the moon will be sighted.
“If the moon is sighted today [Tuesday] evening, fasting will commence on Wednesday (June 17, 2015). If the moon is not sighted today [Tuesday], then fasting will start on Thursday,” he said in a press statement Tuesday afternoon.
Sheikh Kakungulu appeals to whomever sights the crescent moon to contact the UMSC headquarters at Old Kampala immediately on the following mobile numbers: 0702/0772-525-171 (for the Director of Sharia Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Kakungulu) or 0782306313 and 0702491162 (for the Registrar Sheikh Twaib Ali Mpanso).
In other countries such as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and many other countries, all eyes will be set at the heavens today to sight the Ramadan crescent moon.
According to the official Saudi Arabian Embassy website, Moon Sighting Committee and the Supreme Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia will meet today [Tuesday] in their respective countries to witness the Ramadan crescent.
Muslims in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the US, among others will be anxiously waiting for the announcement of advent of the holy month as majority of the Muslims in the Western countries follow Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Hijri calendar.
The Hijri date is the Islamic calendar which started in the moon year in which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) immigrated from Makkah to Madinah.
