THE ANNUAL SPLIT OVER THE MOON - (AND THE GREAT MYSTERY).

 Its that time of the year again. The moon knows exactly where it is located.

 

• Eidul Fitr on March 30 in Saudi Arabia (today Sunday)
• astronomical calculations predict the moon with incredible accuracy 
• this year controversy intensified by solar eclipse 
• same day Saudis claim crescent was seen
• near impossible to witness crescent so soon after an eclipse
• making Saudi claim highly questionable
• many believe “phantom moonsightings” align with preprinted Saudi calendar 
  

• UK-based New Crescent Society says, “another split Eid this year"
• 'impossible' moonsighting in Saudi. 
• in UK 29th Ramadan on Sunday 30 March
• Eid will be on Monday 31 March
• Also in Morocco / South Africa
• Sat 29/3 impossible to see moon in Saudi, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe
• Saudi will produce scientifically 'impossible' moonsighting

• This split has become an annual occurrence
• many wonder if Muslims will ever celebrate Eid on a single day

But what is the Great Mystery?

The Great Mystery is that despite there being different days and dates to begin the Eid and the new lunar month of the Arabic calendar, within a few days, everyone including the Saudis, Morrocans, Pakistanis etc get back on the same days and dates in the Arabic calendar.

Logic dictates that if the Saudi month is a day early, then the rest of the new month (and the following month as well) should all be a day early - compared with say Morocco or the UK. 

But rest assured that if the organisation of the unemployed countries  organises a conference in Morocco or in Saudi Arabia on say the 15th day of the new month, all the delegates will arrive on the same date. No one will arrive a day earlier or a day later.  Somehow the calendar magically sorts itself out.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.