Next Wednesday is the first day of the month of Ramadan

The crescent of the month of Ramadan 1431 H. conjugates with the sun and the earth at the same line on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 3:08 a.m. international time.

In accordance with accurate scientific data provided by specialized scientific astronomical teams, there is no possibility to sight the crescent at the sunset of Tuesday, as far as the horizon of the city of Beirut, as well as other Arab countries, is concerned. In the meantime, the conditions of sighting the crescent are available in the southern part of the African continent, by means of magnifiers, knowing that these conditions become better as we head towards the west, where it becomes possible to sight the crescent, in South America, by the naked eye or by the aid of magnifiers. It is even possible to sight the crescent in some of its [South America’s] western regions by the naked eye without the need for magnifiers.

Based on the jurisprudential view of His Eminence, the Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra), which says that the lunar month starts as it becomes possible to sight the crescent – even if by means of magnifiers – in any place in the world with which we share a part of the night, the first of the month of Ramadan for this year is next Wednesday, August 11, 2010, and so is the case for the countries located to the east, including Australia and New Zealand, since they share a part of the night with the regions where it is possible to sight the crescent.

We congratulate the Lebanese on the beginning of this Holy month that brings about mercy, forgiveness, and spirituality. We pray to Allah, the Most High, to return this month on the entire Islamic nation with good, blessings, and mercy. We also pray that the occupation be ended for Allah is All-Hearing and Responsive.

The Juristic Office of the institution of the Religious Authority, Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra)