Chief Kadhi convenes moonsighting exercise to foster unity ahead of Ramadhan

In a bid to bridge divisions surrounding the sighting of the crescent that marks the beginning of Ramadhan, Acting Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sukyan Hassan Omar has convened a broad-based stakeholder session for the national moon-sighting exercise.

The National Moonsighting Exercise is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, corresponding to Shaaban 29, 1447 AH in the Islamic Hijri calendar. It will be held at the Kadhi’s Court in Upper Hill starting at 6:00 p.m.

Stakeholders will gather to receive and verify moon-sighting reports from different parts of the country. This marks the first time the exercise will involve such wide participation from diverse institutions and Muslim organizations.

Sheikh Sukyan explained that the initiative recognizes the longstanding role of the Office of the Chief Kadhi in advising both the government and the public on the commencement of the holy month of Ramadhan, as well as the official declaration of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.

“In fulfillment of this constitutional and religious mandate, I hereby invite your esteemed institution or organization to nominate two representatives to participate in the National Moon Sighting Exercise,” he said in a statement.

Among the organizations invited are the Supreme Council of Kenya (SUPKEM), Jamia Mosque Committee, Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), Fatwa Council of Kenya, Riyadha Mosque and Islamic Centre (Lamu), Abubakar Mosque–Eastleigh, Kenya National Muslim Advisory Council (KEMNAC), and the East Africa Moon Sighting Committee.

Other invited stakeholders include Adam Masjid–Ngong Road, Pumwani Riyadha Mosque, Fedha Mosque, Umma University, Islamic University of Kenya, World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), Direct Aid, Al Ihsan Welfare Organisation, Al Huda Mosque–South B, Masjid Nur–South C, Masjid Rahma–Hurlingham, Association of Muslim Universities and Colleges of Kenya (AMUCK), Jamia Mosque Makina, the Muslim Marriage Committee, the Kenya Muslim Disciplined Service Chaplaincy as well as media houses.

“Your participation and collaboration are highly valued in ensuring unity, accuracy and transparency in the national moon-sighting process,” Sheikh Sukyan said.

Earlier, the acting Chief Kadhi appealed to Muslims across the country to look out for the possible sighting of the crescent on the evening of February 17. He noted that his office would remain open to receive and verify reports.

“All Muslims across the country are hereby requested to be on the lookout for the crescent (hilal) on that evening and promptly convey any verified sighting to the Office of the Acting Chief Kadhi through 0794 339 467,” he said in a notice issued on Thursday, February 12.

Reports may also be submitted via an online link-http://shorturl.at/dqsK1. Alternatively, they can be relayed through the nearest Kadhi, Imam, recognized scholar, Muslim organization, or local community leader for onward transmission and verification.

If the crescent is sighted on Tuesday, fasting will commence the following day, February 18. In the absence of a confirmed sighting, Ramadan will begin on February 19.