Ramadan Annoucement 2008

In consultation with Imam Shaikh Hosni Azzabi, The Manitoba Islamic Association is pleased to announce that the first day of Ramadan 1429 H will begin on September 1st, 2008.

 

About the start of Ramadan 2008 – 1429 H

The first day of Ramadan is on Monday September 1st , 2008.

Based on moon sighting and astronomical calculation, the start of Ramadan this year is determined to be September 1st, 2008.    

The Astronomical calculation determined that the new astronomical moon for the month of Ramadan 2008 is on Saturday August 30, 2008 at 19:58 Universal Time (14:58 Winnipeg, MB local time). 

On Saturday, August 30, 2008, it is scientifically deemed impossible to see the new moon. The moon will either set before sunset; for example, in Winnipeg the moon will set 13 minutes before sunset. [Sunset: 20:16 LT while Moonset: 20:03 LT], or the conjunction will occur later after sunset.  Either way there is no moon in the horizon to be sighted on Saturday August 30, 2008 at Maghrib time (the time during which Muslims seek the new moon).   

On Sunday, August 31, 2008, the moon will set after sunset in many Muslim countries as well as Canada and the USA. For instance, in Miami, FL, the moon will set 29 minutes after sunset and the crescent will be 27 hours and 43 minutes.  In Winnipeg, the crescent will be 29 hours and 16 minutes and sets three minutes after sunset.

Scientifically the new moon is sightable in several countries on Sunday August 31, 2008; the moon could be sighted using an optical aid in the Southern parts of the USA in addition to countries such as Yemen, Sudan, Mauritania and central Africa and it is possible that the new moon be sighted with the naked eye in South and Central America that day.

 

 

 

According to the criteria adopted by the MIA (sightability of the moon at the time of sunset in any part of the world as long as that location shares part of the night with North America), the first day of Ramadan in Manitoba will be Monday September 1st, 2008.

Shaikh Hosni Azzabi