[chottala.com] First day of Ramadan is very likely be Sept 1 (Mon). Eid-ul-Fitr is very likely be on October 1 (Wednesday). Your mashjid may follow differently.

 
INFORMATION ON THE FIRST DAY OF FASTING MONTH (RAMADAN) IN 2008
 
FIRST LOGIC:  The new moon takes place on August 30, 2008 at 3:58 pm eastern daylight time (EDT).  The age of the new moon has to be at least 16 hours or more in order to be eligible to see it on the western horizon after sunset.  The sunset time on Aug 31, 2008 is 7:39 pm, which means the age of new moon on Aug 31, 2008 is above 24 hours at sunset.  So, the moon cannot be seen on Aug 30, 2008 and it will definitely be seen on Aug 31, 2008 after sunset. 
 
SECOND LOGIC:  The sunset time is 7:39 pm and the moonset time is 7:56 pm on August 31, 2008.  That means, the moonset on Aug 31 will take place 17 minutes after sunset, which is more than enough to be seen on the western horizon after sunset.  
 
MY PERSONAL OPINION:  Based on the above figures, the first day of the fasting month (Ramadan) should be September 1, 2008.   
 
 
INFORMATION ON THE DAY OF EID-UL-FITR IN 2008
 
FIRST LOGIC:  The new moon takes place on September 29, 2008 at 4:12 am eastern daylight time (EDT).  The age of the new moon has to be at least 16 hours or more in order to be eligible to see it on the western horizon after sunset.  The sunset time on Sept 29, 2008 is 6:53 pm, which means the age of new moon is a little over 14 hours at sunset.  So, the moon is NOT likely to be seen on Sept 29, 2008.  But, it will definitely be seen on Sept 30, 2008.
 
SECOND LOGIC:  The sunset time is 6:53 pm and the moonset time is 6:46 pm on September 29, 2008.  That means, the moonset will take place 7 minutes before sunset.  So, the moon cannot definitely be seen on Sept 29, 2008 on the horizon after sunset.  The sunset time is 6:52 pm and the moonset time is 7:12 pm on September 30, 2008.  That means, the moonset on Sept 30 will take place 20 minutes after sunset.  So, the moon can definitely be seen on Sept 30, 2008 on the western horizon after sunset. 
 
MY PERSONAL OPINION:  Based on the above figures, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr should be October 1, 2008 (Wednesday).   
 
 
Let me tell you what group I personally follow.  I just contact a very well known & undisputed Islamic center or Mashjid near my home and just follow what they do, because I have a trust on them that they normally make very reliable decisions.  It is fully up to your judgment what group you should follow.  I am NOT going to create an e-mail mess on this issue.
 
I ONLY WANT TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL REQUEST TO ALL OF YOU.  If you really want to enjoy Eid-ul-Fitr with your family, then you should arrange to take off on both Sept 30 (Tuesday) & Oct 1 (Wednesday), because you do not know what day your Mashjid will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.  But, finally you will take off for only one day when you will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.  You may go to work on the other day.  At least, all of us should inform our employer right now that we may take either Sept 30 (Tues) or Oct 1 (Wed).  PLEASE MAKE THE SAME ARRANGEMENT WITH THE SCHOOL OR COLLEGE FOR YOUR STUDENT CHILDREN.
 
To avoid last minute problem, I am sending this e-mail to all of you just to remind us and to take precautionary measure well ahead of time.  Most of us just cry couple of days before Eid by saying that, my boss does not let me take off, the school teacher does not allow my child to take off on certain day, etc.  HOWEVER PLEASE IGNORE & DISREGARD THIS E-MAIL IF YOU DO NOT CARE TO TAKE OFF ON EID DAY.
 
  
MAHFUZUR RAHMAN 
6524 Ivy Terrace 
Elkridge, MD 21075 
410-796-0577 (home)  301-646-3475 (cellular)  703-875-4054 (work) 
BangaliBhai@hotmail.com __._,_.___

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