Accra, Aug. 28, GNA - Sheikh Yunusah Osman Mohammed, Acting Chairman of the Halil Committee, on Thursday said the expected date for the moon of Ramadan 2008 was sunset on Saturday, August 30 which made Sunday, August 31, the first day of Ramadan. "Under any circumstances, if the moon is not sighted, then Sunday the 31st of August becomes the 30th of Shaban, which is a day of doubt for which Muslims are not supposed to fast, then Monday 1st of September, 2008 automatically becomes the first day of Ramadan," he added.

Sheikh Mohammed at a press conference in Accra to announce the date therefore entreated all Muslims to carefully monitor the moon and report to their regional chief Imams for the commencement of the process. He said the date for this year's Ramadan was arrived at after a series of meetings with Muslim groups during the 2008 Ramadan Conference in Tamale in the Northern Region.

Sheikh Mohammed, who gave a brief background to the process, said fasting was the forth pillar in the Islamic religion and made compulsory during the second year of the Holy Prophet's migration from Mecca to Madina. He quoted Quran 2 :183 as: "Oh you who have believed the decree of fasting as it was decreed upon those before you, that you may become righteous." 28 Aug. 08