"Oh ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint," Qur'an 2:183

The Islamic Society of North America, in consultation with the Fiqh Council of North America, will follow the position taken by the Islamic Shura Council of North America, which is: A CONFIRMED CRESCENT SIGHTING REPORT IN NORTH AMERICA WILL BE ACCEPTED AS LONG AS SUCH A REPORT DOES NOT CONTRADICT INDISPUTABLE ASTRONOMICAL INFORMATION.

SHA'BAN: Sha'ban moon was sighted on the 29th of Rajab, October 17. October 18 being the first day of Sha'ban, the 29th day will be November 15, 2001.

RAMADAN: The available data indicates that moon's conjunction will occur on November 15, 2001, at 6:41 Universal Time, i.e., November 14, 10:41 pm PST. Hence, on November 15, the moon's age will be about 18 hours on west coast of USA. The separation of moon from sun is not enough to be seen with naked eye. This moon will be very close to the horizon and may not be seen even with telescopes in North America. Let it be known that for this Ramadan, ISNA's decision may not come until late night on Thursday, November 15. In light of available scientific information, first day of fasting of Ramadan in North America is expected to be on Saturday, November 17, 2001, insha'Allah after completing 30 days of Sha'ban.

ISNA is prepared to receive moon sighting reports on the evening of Thursday, November 15, 2001, the 29th of Sha'ban, and evaluate them for authenticity. Please do not leave messages requesting moon sighting and Ramadan information as ISNA is unable to return your call on that evening.

SHAWWAL: On Friday, December 14, 2001, the moon will be born at 12:47 pm PST, and it will be a solar eclipse on that day to be seen in Central and North America. This is sufficient proof that the moon cannot be seen on that day. On December 15, 2001, the moon will be in a position that it could be seen. Therefore, Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be on Sunday, December 16, 2001, insha'Allah.

ISNA is prepared to receive moon sighting reports on the evening of Saturday, December 15, 2001, and evaluate them for authenticity.

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION, please call 317-839-8157. ISNA will have additional phone lines to take your calls. You may access the moon sighting information on INTERNET, www.moonsighting.com or http://www.columbia.edu/~mnd

TO REPORT A MOON SIGHTING, please dial 317-839-1824.

PROCEDURES FOR TAKING MOON SIGHTING REPORTS: ISNA will take the information and have its consultants call you for further details to verify the sighting. Please stay by your phone and keep the line open. A conference call will be held for members of Islamic Shura Council of North America. It will include the leaders of the four Shura member organizations, members of the Fiqh Council, Muslim astronomer consultants, and sighting coordinators at the ISNA headquarters. They will review the reports and reach a conclusion regarding the beginning of the Islamic lunar month. The decision will be immediately posted on Internet: www.isna.net and www.moonsighting.com