Philippines’ Muslim region to conduct own moon-sighting for Ramadan
Equipped with new telescopes and training, Bangsamoro Daurl-Ifta staff will no longer rely on Middle Eastern lunar advisories
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (MNTV) – Ramadan-observing residents have lauded the acquisition of modern moon-sighting technology by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta (BDI) will no longer rely on Islamic countries’ lunar monitoring advisories, reports The Manila Times.
“This is remarkable. It deserves plaudits,” resident-faithful and Islamic scholars said in unison in separate reactions to the recent training of eleven BDI technical workers under the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST–Pagasa).
“The 11 BDI workers were intensively trained by DOST-Pagasa experts on proper setting up, calibration, and operation of a telescope, and on the corresponding interpretation of astronomical data in lunar observation,” the Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) said in a report.
The BARMM will be able to do its own moonsighting with precision and end the usual debates on when to start and end the observance of Ramadan fasting, one of the five Pillars of Islam.
Ammar Baraguir, one of the trainees, said the training “provided me practical knowledge on how to properly set up, calibrate, and operate a telescope, as well as how to interpret astronomical data relevant to lunar observation.”
“I now understand more deeply the scientific processes behind moon-sighting and how technology can enhance the accuracy of our observations,” he added.
Muslim countries across the globe have their respective offices of Darul-Iftah (House of Opinions), which has the authority on Islamic faith-related matters. BARMM people have long been dependent on outside moon-sighting advisories.
“For generations, the sighting of the crescent moon to mark the start and end of Ramadan has been a subject of debate among Muslim Filipinos,” the BIO pointed out. By next year, there would be no more debate, it added.
The debate always boiled down to the accuracy of information about the start and end of fasting. This is due to the differences in time references among Muslim countries in the Middle East and neighboring states of Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
