Faizel Patel, 2016-06-02
A South African delegation who attended an International Hijri Calendar Unity Conference in Istanbul, Turkey has voted not to adopt any global zoning options of current moon-sighting in this country.
The conference hosted by the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Turkey between the 28th and 30th of last month brought together Islamic scholars, astronomical experts, technocrats and community leaders.
The conference was a culmination of many years of research with hosts and collaborating organisers envisaging a process towards the unity of the Ummah, through the adoption of a universal Islamic calendar.
Papers submitted to the conference dealt with aspects such as the definition of sighting from scientific and Islamic point of view; actual or possibility of sighting; the use of optical instruments in moon-sighting, and the adoption of global zones.
Two views emerged from the proceedings which considered the planetary globe as either one zone or demarcating it into the eastern and western hemispheres.
The conference deliberated and resolved to strive towards achieving one global zone.
A non-binding vote for a resolution was made in order to adopt a number of global zones.
However in a statement Secretary General of the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa Moulana Ebrahim Bhams says the South Africa delegation had put it to the conference that for decades it has been possible to seek sighting of the moon in the determination of Islamic months.
“A procedure for moon-sighting adopted by South African Ulama bodies alongside moon-sighting groups is operational and has brought about unity among the Muslims in the country.”
Moulana Bham says the delegation has agreed to remain with its current method of sighting the moon in South Africa and not adopt any global zoning options.
The current procedure to only accept Moon Sighting in South Africa was taken in conjunction with the Darul Ifta’s of all the Jamiats and Ulama bodies affiliated to UUCSA which has also been endorsed and agreed upon by Mufti Mohammed Saeed Motara from Darul Uloom Azaadville and Mufti Radha-ul-Haq of Darul Uloom Zakariyyah.
It was also decided that UUCSA would be guided by the fact that it would rather retain unity in South Africa then try to forge unity with neighboring countries on this issue.
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