New moon not seen

New moon not seen

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher
announced last night that Ramadhan, the Moslems' fasting month,
will begin on Monday after the authorities and independent Moslem
organizations confirmed that they failed to sight the new moon.

The pronouncement had full support from all the main Moslem
organizations when it was presented to their representatives in a
meeting at TVRI headquarters.

Tarmizi later appeared on state television broadcast
nationwide to bring people the news, which was a confirmation of
the earlier calculation that the Ramadhan would begin on Jan. 22.

The Arabic calendar year follows the lunar movement. While it
can be calculated, the start of each month must await the
sighting of the new moon.

Tarmizi said official monitoring posts in Biak, Pelabuhan
Ratu, Merauke, Surabaya, Sabang and Jakarta all said they failed
to see the new moon. People in Saudi Arabia and most other
countries will also begin the fasting month on Monday, he said.

Differences on the start of Ramadhan often crop up.

The same procedure must be observed next month to determine
the end of Ramadhan. Given the current rainy season, there is a
good chance of more controversy this year, especially if thick
clouds block the view of the crescent moon towards the end of
Ramadhan. (01)