Muslim fasting starts tomorrow or Monday

August 30, 2008 pg 15
Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THIS year's Muslim fasting starts on either Sunday August 31, 2008, or Monday September 1, 2008 in the country, depending on when the moon (crescent) will be sighted, according to the resolution adopted at the 14th annual Ramadan conference held at Tamale.
The Acting Chairman of the National Hilal Committee, Sheikh Yunusah Osman Mohammed, said the expected date for the sighting of the moon was around sunset on Saturday August, 30, and that if sighted, Sunday August 31 would become the first day of Ramadan.
He said under any circumstances, if the moon was not sighted, then Sunday, August 31, would become the 30th day of Shaban, which is a day of doubt for which Muslims are not supposed to fast.
Then, he said, Monday September 1, automatically would become the first day of Ramadan.
Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam, and prescribed on all Muslims who are in good condition of health.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed, who was speaking at a press conference in Accra yesterday, urged Muslims throughout the country to make efforts to sight the moon and inform the Imams and chiefs of their respective communities for onward communication to the National Chief Imam.
He said if sighted, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, and the Ameer in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Wahab Adam, would announce the commencement of the fast on television and radio.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed said delegates at the Hilal conference were guided by the determination of the accurate date for the beginning and completion of the Ramadan fast "by relying on the internal report, commitment to the promotion of unity, collaboration and co-operation among Muslims of all shades of opinion".
He said the delegates, made up of representatives of the 10 regions of the country, agreed that Ghanaian Muslims would not observe the fast by the sighting of the moon by other countries.
Sheikh Osman Mohammed urged Muslims to observe the fast on the same day to further deepen their unity as ordained by God.
The Deputy Ameer of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission, Maulvi Mohammed Yusuf Yawson, used the occasion to urge politicians to shun divisive tendencies and conduct their campaigns in a manner that would foster national unity and development.
He prayed to God to select for Ghanaians a leader who would work in the larger interest of the Ghanaian society.