NHC announces period for this year's Ramadan

Accra, Aug. 18, GNA- The National Hilal Committee (NHC) on Tuesday announced that Thursday, August 20, would be the first day of sighting the moon for this year's Ramadan fasting while Sha-ban (the Ramadan month) will span 29 days.

The Committee, which comprised a group of Islamic scholars who agree on the period of Ramadan said if the moon was not sighted on August 20 then the search, would continue the next day Friday, August 21. However, August 22 will automatically be the first day of the fast.

Alhaji Abdul Kadir Lomotey-Tagoe, Acting Chairman of the NHC was speaking at a Press Conference in Accra on a resolution taken by delegates at the 15th National Hilal Conference held in Kumasi as part of the annual Ramadan conference.

The Press conference which was attended by Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, National Chief Imam and Chaired by Alhaji Baaba Issah, Chairman, Council of Muslim Chiefs as well as some Ulama (Muslim scholars) was to annou nce the commencement of the new moon for this year's fasting.

Alhaji Lomotey-Tagoe said because of past problems, which had characterised the sighting of the moon, this year, any Muslim who spots it in any part of the country would be required to fill a form witnessed by another Muslim and sent to the Region Chief Imam, who would intend forward it to the National Chief Imam for authentication.

He said the NHC agreed to make a request to government through the National Chief Imam to extend the holiday period of Eid Fitr festivity from one day to two days because of the difficulties that come with determining the exact date for ending the fast.

Alhaji Lomotey-Tagoe said in an event that the NHC did not get an immediate respond from government over the request; the National Chief Imam would officially announce the date to end the fast pending the public holiday that Muslims enjoyed.

He said the NHC would liaise with Ghana Information Service Department and media houses to disseminate the date of commencing and ending of this year's Ramadan.