Confusion about the start of Ramadan

Dear Editor,

The announcement by the official organization, CIOG, by way of a letter in the press, (‘Ramadan Crescent sighted’ SN, May 27) that the Holy Month of Ramadan commenced on Saturday, May 27 2017, is really baffling.

On the evening of Friday, May 26 at about 18:00 hrs CNS Channel 6 aired three scripted announcements, in quick succession, that purportedly came from Committee.

The first announcement said the moon was sighted and fasting for the Holy Month would commence on Saturday, May 27. This was immediately followed by another announcement which said the moon was not sighted and further announcements would follow. This was immediately followed by yet another announcement which said the moon was not sighted and fasting for the Holy the Moonsighting Month of Ramadan would commence on Sunday, May 28.

For the remainder of the evening these announcements were not repeated on this station nor were any other announcements as to the commencement of the Holy Month aired on any other television station. In fact there was a complete blackout of information.

CIOG’s webpage was not helpful either. The only announcement posted there was that we will be looking for the Ramadan Crescent on the evening of Friday, May 26.

Doing my own online research as I sought information on this very important observance in the Muslim calendar I came across two brothers, Fazil Mahmood of Corriverton, Berbice, and Dr Muhammad Hafiz of

Rose Hall Town, Berbice, who both said they saw the crescent and fasting would commence Saturday, May 27, 2017.

It seems many countries did not see the crescent but in our part of the globe it was sighted in Barbados and Trinidad. Even at the time of writing this mail CIOG’s web page was not updated.

Amidst all the confusion I extend Ramadan Mubarak to the entire Muslim community.

Yours faithfully, Shamshun Mohamed