By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
Muslim clerics around the Philippines will be staring at the night sky Friday looking for the first sight of the moon, while residents of a southern region await the opening of a new “pink mosque.”
Prof. Alzad Sattar, the Department of Education's Regional Undersecretary for Madaris Education, told the Anadolu Agency on Friday that local clerics are encouraging "everyone to look for the new crescent moon [hilal] on Friday" and Saturday evening.
"Qualified Muslim astronomers and reliable visibility forecasts indicate that on Friday, a naked-eye sighting of the new crescent moon will be extremely improbable in all regions," he said, with the exception of the remote South Pacific where a sighting is possible but highly unlikely.
It would be visible shortly after sunset, slightly to the left, and above where the sun had set, he added.
"It is a beautiful experience to sight its emergence, and it is a Sunnah of our noble Prophet, Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Salam [peace be upon him]."
Starting Saturday, residents of Maguindanao province will also be able to pray at the new “pink mosque” in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town, built by local Mayor Samsodin Dimaukom.
Maguindanao Governor Ismael Mangudadatu said in a statement that locals "were extremely excited for the start of the holy month of Ramadan and the opening of the grandiose pink mosque."
Sattar said that a Memorandum of Understanding also would be signed over Ramadan between Muslim sectors in the country to strengthen relationships and to work hand-in-hand to achieve sustainable and meaningful peace and development.
Army troops in Maguindanao have gone on alert for possible violence that may disrupt observance, although the leadership of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Muslim rebel group has sent out Ramadan greetings to Muslims.
In 2012, Ramadan activities were disturbed by a series of bloody attacks by the BIFF, which caused the relocation of around 20,000 villagers in adjoining.
The BIFF is at odds with founder organization the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which this year signed a peace deal with the government in order to create a new autonomous region.
BIFF has refused to give up its aim of an independent Islamic state in the southern region of Mindanao.
Army spokesman Col. Dickson Hermoso said Friday that the local governor had asked that Muslim soldiers be relieved from strenuous daytime physical duties for the duration of Ramadan.
The first day of Ramadan fasting and Eid al-Fitr varies depending on lunar sightings from different locations due to the cycle of the moon.
In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, sighting agencies that use current technology believe that the methodology for calculating the beginning and end of Ramadan in the holy city of Mecca can be applied anywhere.
Most Muslim Filipinos usually follow what is being declared in Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the two holy mosques, but others still insist on the local physical sighting, meaning that many Muslims start their fast on different dates - Should the moon be sighted by 9 p.m. Friday, Ramadan will begin Saturday, however if one sighting is after the other, it can begin for some on Sunday.
www.aa.com.tr/en
