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Muslims to gather for lunar sighting

Hundreds of Muslims are expected to gather at Three Anchor Bay on Monday night for the official sighting of the moon, which if seen will mark the end of the holy month of Ramadaan.The moon sighting determines whether the Muslim holy month of fasting will last for 29 or 30 days.

Monday night's sighting will also determine whether the joyous Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, which marks the end of Ramadaan, will be celebrated on Tuesday or on Wednesday. Eid, meaning festivity, is a Muslim holiday celebrated at the end of the fasting month.

But Omar Gabier, president of the Crescent Observers of South Africa, told the Cape Argus it was "highly unlikely" that the moon would be spotted tonight.

Gabier explained that the new moon was born at around 10am on Monday morning, and by the time officials prepared for sighting after sunset on Monday night, it would only be around nine hours old.

"This is a very young moon.

"It has never been sighted at this young age," he said on Tuesday night.

Gabier said the youngest a new moon can be to be sighted is about 16 hours old.

"The youngest moon we've sighted was 16 and a half hours old," he said last night.

The sighting will take place at several locations around the city, including Bakoven, Kloof Nek and Three Anchor Bay.

By Niemah Davids (www.iol.co.za)

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