Canadian Muslims Start Fasting on Saturday

(August 21, 2009) – Canadian Muslims will begin Ramadan, the month of fasting, on Saturday August 22, 2009.

From Vancouver to St. John’s, the majority of the country’s Muslims will begin fasting tomorrow.

The national organizations, ISNA Canada, ICNA Canada and MAC (Muslim Association of Canada) are following the decision of the Fiqh Council of North America which had previously declared the first day of Ramadan as Saturday, 22 August.

The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) recognizes astronomical calculations as an acceptable Shar’ia method for determining the beginning of lunar months.

Muslims following the position that the actual local sighting of the new crescent signals the beginning of the month have also declared the first day of Ramadan as Saturday.

The Hilal Committee of Metropolitan Toronto and vicinity has confirmed late this evening that their member organizations will begin the month of Ramadan tomorrow: “Based on confirmed verified reports, the Hilal Committee of Toronto has declared the 1st of Ramadan 1430 to be on Saturday 22 August 2009”