Khaberni - The Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Dr. Ahmed Al-Hasanat, said that the Fatwa Department adopts a clear methodology in proving the beginnings of the lunar months, combining legal texts and astronomical scientific facts, and that the decision to confirm the sighting of the hilal in Jordan is purely religious and not subject to any other considerations.
He called, during his sponsorship today on Thursday of a seminar organized by the Royal Geographic Center titled "Hilal of the Blessed Month of Ramadan between Sharia and Astronomy", for the unification of scientific and legal efforts in the Islamic world to reduce differences and enhance Muslim unity in their worship.
He explained that the announcement of the beginning of each lunar month comes after a precise study of the conditions of birth, duration, and visibility, pointing out the criteria of the Fatwa Department in proving the hilal which are: that the hilal must be born before sunset on the day of investigation and must set after sunset on the 29th day, with the necessary astronomical conditions indicating the possibility of visibility in terms of duration, elevation, elongation, and brightness, and that the sighting must be actually confirmed, whether by the naked eye or by modern means in Jordan or a country that shares part of the night.
He pointed out that Jordan adheres to its declared standards, noting that the Council of Fatwa, Research, and Islamic Studies, which consists of 11 members of senior scholars, has the final decision after reviewing the reports of subcommittees and the results of the observations and astronomical calculations.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the General Director of the Jordanian Royal Geographic Center, Brigadier Engineer Muammar Kamel Haddadin, Dr. Ammar Al-Sakaji emphasized the Center's commitment to continue its efforts in observing and monitoring the hilal of the month of Ramadan through its specialized staff and modern devices, in continuous coordination with the General Fatwa Department and relevant entities, ensuring the accuracy of the religious decision and the reassurance of the community.
The seminar, organized by the Center in cooperation with the Jordanian Astronomical Association, the Meteorological Department, and the Institute of Space and Astronomy Sciences, took part within the framework of the scientific and national role undertaken by the Center in monitoring the crescents, and harnessing its scientific and astronomical capabilities to support the religious decision and enhance integration between religious references and scientific institutions in the Kingdom.
In turn, the participants in the seminar presented the legal rulings related to the month of Ramadan, the data of astronomical observation, the role of meteorology, and astronomical imaging in supporting the investigation process with reliable scientific information.
