Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - A tentative crescent moon rose on Monday night, marking the end of the Ramadan month of fasting for Muslims around the world. Or did it?
Muslims in the Middle East are divided over the true phase of the moon. As a result, several countries recognised different dates for the festival of Eid al-Fitr, one of the two most important Muslim holidays, which marks the end of Ramadan.
In Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf Arab states as well as Jordan, the holiday began on Tuesday. Egypt, Syria, Iran and Algeria marked the start of the holiday yesterday.
Distinct methodologies for determining the start of the lunar month account for the differences but some now perceive an increasing political aspect to some of the calculations.
Saudi Arabia’s conservative Wahhabi scholars, in accordance with their traditions and literal interpretation of Islam, determine the start of the lunar month based on observations of the first crescent with the naked eye. In other countries, Muslim scholars aim to reconcile astronomical calculations with direct observations to determine the holidays.
But some commentators now believe the process may be as much about political allegiance as any religious observance. Saudi Arabia, as the birthplace of Islam and the location of its two holiest mosques, has always commanded a position of respect, but even so many Muslim countries have traditionally followed the sightings as determined by their own religious scholars.
Now, however, in several countries, the decision of which methodology to adopt has gained a sectarian or political edge. In Iraq, Sunni communities celebrated Eid on Tuesday, while Shia marked it yesterday – following the Iranian lead.
Several senior figures in Saudi Arabia had supported shifting towards astronomical calculations – or at least using telescopes – in line with King Abdullah’s general policy of reform and modernisation. They suggest that these devices might help produce a reliable calendar in advance, greatly facilitating everything from determining official public holidays to travel plans.
In August, however, the Supreme Judicial Council and Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia voted to reject any “mathematical calculation” of the calendar and issued a fatwa against using any means other than observation with the naked eye.
Countries with close Saudi links followed the ruling of the Mufti in accordance with their traditions. Gulf states, except Oman, often follow Saudi Arabia’s decision. This year, Jordanian religious officials indicated they did not see the crescent at all yet would follow the Saudi ruling in deference to “Islamic unity”.
Many ordinary Muslims express frustration with the different start day, saying it defies the spirit of the holidays when Muslims are supposed to celebrate worldwide. “I wish to see the day when all Muslim nations celebrate the Eid on the same day,” wrote Mohamed Abdelrahman, a contributor to a Saudi website.