(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - For the first time in Trinidad and Tobago, Muslims currently engaged in observing the Ramadan month of fasting, are likely to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on Independence Day. This coincidence is due to the day, August 28, when the new moon will be born to begin another month in the Islamic calendar. Muslims throughout the country commenced fast on August 1, for 29 or 30 days, subject to citing of the moon.According to Siddiq Nasir who is head of the Ahlus Sunnah Wa Jama’ah Institute, the new moon will be born on August 28 at 11.04 pm. Muslims would look out for the moon which would be 19 hours old at sunset, he said, but based on past experience and climatic conditions, it is unlikely it would be sighted on the evening of August 29. “Muslims will therefore fast another day, and would celebrate Eid on August 31,” Nasir said.In recognition of the likelihood of Eid being celebrated on Independence Day, the Government after consultation with Islamic organisations in the country has declared September 1 the Eid public holiday for Muslims.Omar Abdullah, of Tobago, said an Independence Day Eid-ul-Fitr seems likely, but that sighting the moon is of paramount importance, and not reliance on scientific calculations.Hon Consul General for Bangladesh, Azard Razai Rahaman, who last Wednesday sponsored the Iftar at the San Fernando Jama Masjid, Mucurapo Street, delivered Ramadan greetings to the Muslim community. Published in the Iqra News Bulletin, Rahaman, who is chairman of Ramco Industries, stated: “Fasting should inculcate a deep sense of self-accountability, restraint, patience, fellow-feeling and social responsibility. It is instrumental in effecting changes in the behavioural pattern of the faithful. Morally, man is encouraged to develop virtues of self-restraint, purity, unselfishness, humility and patience.”/129
