Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar is
considered very holy month. It is also referred as Ramazan is some parts of the
world. The duration of Ramadan is either 29 days or 30 days based on the
visibility conditions of the new moon. Muslims around the world observes
Fasting during the month of Ramadan. Eid
ul Fitr or beginning of the Shawwal marks the end of the Ramadan and it is
celebrated with the great enthusiasm all over the world.
Every year, start date of Ramadan is declared based on
the visibility conditions of the new moon. Makkah Calendar website has prepared
Islamic calendar for Makkah based on the predicted visibility of the new moon.
Based on the concept of the extended visibility, “Makkah Calendar” has
announced dates for start of Ramadan 2013 (Ramadan 1434) for various countries
of the world. As per Makkah Calendar site, the Start of Ramadan 2013 is on 9th
July 2013 for whole
Americas and Some countries of the Africa and on 10th
July 2013 for rest of the countries in the world. The methodology for starting
Ramadan 2013 (Ramadan 1434) can be summarized as follows.
The month will begin next day if: (1) the new moon is
born (2) if the young crescent is visible in the evening sky of the place
considered, or (3) if it is visible at somewhere to the west of the place before fajr there. Otherwise the
month will last a day longer.
Based on the above criteria, the list of countries
where Ramadan 2013 should start on 9th July and where 10th
july 2013 has been prepared and published in Ramadan 2013 announcement section
of Makkah Calendar website. One thing to note here is that all visibility
predictions of new moon are based on the algorithm of B.D.Yallop to predict the
visibility of the new moon. As per the Photo Gallery of the Makkah Caledar
website, the predictions have been accurate. For Ramadan, point 30 S 145 W near
French Polynesia has been taken as a reference point to decid
if Ramadan 2013
can start on 9th July 2013 or on 10th July 2013. Based on
the crescent visibility predictions, new moon will be easily visible at this
particular location and hence, taken as a reference point. Detailed
calculations which explain extended visibility conditions for various parts of
the world on 8th July 2013 are available on Makkah Calendar website.
The conclusion section of Ramadan 2013 (Ramadan 1434)
start is worth noting and it is as follows.
The concept of extended visibility to the
west of a place before fajr in
the place has allowed us to publish the dates of the beginning of Ramadan 2013
for various countries. In future we intend to integrate this concept of
extended visibility in our visibility curves themselves. This will lead us to
an authentic, legitimate and rigorously exact calendar for all places in the
world.
Ramadan 2013 Mubarak to All!
Find more information about starting Ramadan 2013 (Ramadan
1434) at http://www.makkahcalendar.org/en/ramadan-2013.php
About
Makkah Islamic Calendar
This website wants to shed a new light on the Islamic
Calendar for Makkah. This very practical problem has impact on the lives of
millions of pilgrims across the world because the date of the Hajj, or the
great annual pilgrimage, depends on an accurate Islamic calendar.
