The Myths

The Indonesia Sighting

Almost every year, we inevitably hear that someone observed the new moon in Indonesia. In this age of internet, mobile phones and instantaneous communication we never see any evidence of such a sighting nor are we given the name of the person who sighted it, the region in which it was sighted or any other reference. The position being relied upon is rarely that of the Indonesian government and if so, it’s been posted for some time meaning their determination was by calculation and not sighting. It is not uncommon for community leaders to use the “Indonesia sighting” when they insist on a physical sighting, did not achieve it, and feel they should break fast for some other reason.

Sharing Part of the Night

Some say its permissible to follow the sighting of a country that shares part of the night. (No doubt there is some fatwa to support this view.) Strictly speaking, this is only scientifically correct where both countries are relying on a physical sighting. If the other country is using calculations as most are, this method may not be correct.

Disc Illumination

Some refer to disc illumination, being the part of the new moon as a percentage, that is visible at any time. This is not the test for the determination of the new moon.

Other Calendar Calculations

Some say last Ramadan was 30 days so this one should be 29. Others say that last month was 30 days so this month should be 29. Whilst less likely, it is not impossible for Ramadan to have the same number of days over two consecutive years nor is it impossible for two consecutive lunar months to have the same number of days. Whilst this may be a sound method to determine past errors (see below), it is not the test to determine the commencement or cessation of Ramadan.

The All-Too-Common Lie

Cities to the East of the first city to sight the new moon, don’t see the new moon. If you hear otherwise, it’s a lie. This means, if the first city to sight the new moon in any given year, is say Cairo, then cities to the east of it, will not see the moon. In this instance this means most of the Middle East. If for example the first city to sight the new moon in a given year is Muscat Oman, then cities to the east of it, will not see the new moon. This means all of Asia including Indonesia!