Announcement for the beginning of Ramadan 1438

In His Name, the Most High

Congratulations to the Muslim world on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

There have been verified sightings of the new crescent on the night of Friday 26th May 2017 in the Middle East and in other parts of the world, and although it is highly unlikely to view the moon with the naked eye in the United Kingdom, it is possible with optical aids.

Below are the different beginnings of the holy month based on the varying jurisprudential opinions:

Ayatollah Khamenei:

According to the jurisprudential opinion of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, tomorrow, Saturday 27th May 2017 will be the first of Shahr Ramadan in the United Kingdom, Middle East, North and South America, Africa, and most of Europe.

Ayatollah Sistani:

Based on the moon sightings in the Islamic Republic, the jurisprudential opinion of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani, would mean that Ramadan will start on Saturday 27th May 2017 in North and South America, Africa, Southern Europe, the Gulf states, Iran and Iraq. As for the United Kingdom, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, Shahr Ramadan will be on Sunday 28th May 2017 as per the opinions of Ayatollah Sistani, who requires a moon sighting with the naked eye.

However, the above is based on the jurisprudential opinions of Ayatollah Sistani further to acknowledging the moon sightings that have taken place on Friday night in the Islamic Republic. The office of Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf has not had any local witnesses that have viewed the moon in Iraq, and based on this have not been able to confirm Saturday as the first of Ramadan in Iraq. They have announced Sunday as the beginning of Ramadan for Iraq and Europe.

Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khoei:

Followers of Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khoei will start Shahr Ramadan on Saturday 27th May 2017 for all countries West of the Islamic Republic as the moon has been sighted there and shares the same night.

The map below shows the possibility of moon sightings on night of Friday 26th May 2017:

We ask the Almighty Allah to showers his blessings on the believers and pray that He accepts our acts of worship during this Holy Month.

Wasalaamu Alaikum

Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission (AIM)

26th May 2017

29th Shaban 1438

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