Ramadan Policy Announcement 2024
Ramadan Policy Announcement 2024
As Salam Alaikum
As we approach the blessed month of Ramadan, we want to reiterate our joint policy on the determination of the Islamic Calendar as announced to the community in January 2023.
The global moon sighting position is one of the valid positions for determining the beginning of an Islamic month. Using accurate scientific astronomical calculations is also another acceptable method and a Shariah-compliant position that has been validated by the scholars of the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) and the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA). The astronomical calculations position has been adopted by many Islamic Centers across North America and Europe, and we believe that adopting this position in the Greater Austin area will provide us with a consistent methodology needed for better planning of our holidays and events logistics.
This policy has full support from all the Imams and administrative leadership of all the major Central Texas Mosques. The religious and executive leadership of Central Texas Islamic Centers, including GIC, ICBC, ICGA, ICHC, ICLT, ICRR, NAMCC, Nueces Mosque, and QCIC, led by Sheikh Ahmed Abd El-Khaleq, have all agreed to adopt the position of the astronomical calculation in Austin to establish the Islamic Calendar and determine the beginning of Islamic months, including Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. Please find approval by Sheikh Ahmed and Austin Imams in the attached opinion & recommendation. Regarding Eid-ul-Adha, we will continue to follow the Hajj announcement made by Saudi Arabia.
Secondary to the Islamic jurisprudence but important nonetheless are the practical implications of adopting this methodology. Here are a few of them:
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A consistent policy for Ramadan and both Eids brings unity to Central Texas Muslims
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Avoiding hardship for the community by no longer having to wait for the West Coast sightings, sometimes late into the night
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A consistent methodology for the entire year, making it easy for the community to plan, observe, and practice important religious events and rituals (such as Ramadan, Eids, fasting 13th, 14th, and 15th of each month, etc.)
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Better planning (school holidays, work time off, Eid logistics, etc.) and making it easy for families with children to observe and participate in Islamic holidays
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To take advantage of the newly passed Texas law recognizing Islamic holidays (Bill for Ramadan, Official Eids Recognition)
Hence moving forward, Insha-ALLAH this new policy will be adopted to avoid confusion in determining Islamic dates by following the Islamic Calendar published by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA), including Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. This will be the single methodology for all the undersigned Islamic Centers in Central Texas for determining the start of Islamic lunar months.
Based on this policy, the holy month of Ramadan will start on Monday, March 11th, 2024. The first Taraweeh prayer will start after the Isha prayer on Sunday, March 10th, 2024. Please stay tuned for additional updates to follow.
Learn about Ramadan Programs at ICLT
We ask Allah SWT to unite us as one Ummah and one community. May He SWT accept our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings. Ameen.
Jazakum Allahu Khairun,
Islamic Center of Lake Travis (http://www.iclaketravis.org)
Georgetown Islamic Center (https://www.gicmasjid.org/)
Islamic Center of Round Rock (http://www.roundrockmasjid.org)
Islamic Center of Brushy Creek (http://www.icbrushycreek.org)
Islamic Center of Greater Austin (http://www.austinmosque.org)
Islamic Center of Hays County (https://masjidbilaltx.org)
North Austin Muslim Community Center (http://www.namcc.org)
Nueces Mosque (http://www.nuecesmosque.com)
Quad City Islamic Center (https://www.qcicmasjid.org)