Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

As Ramadan draws to a close and the start of Shawwal and Eid al-Fitr is awaited, the debate has resurfaced among members of the Muslim community in Belgium regarding the sighting of the new moon. This is especially true after the initial disagreement at the beginning of Ramadan, with some fasting on Wednesday in line with Saudi Arabia, while others began fasting on Thursday based on the opinion of the Council of Imams, which stated that the new moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening, thus establishing Thursday as the start of Ramadan. Now, just days before Eid al-Fitr, the debate over the start of Shawwal has resurfaced, evident on social media and in gatherings of Muslim communities in various Belgian cities. For example, Sheikh Nour Eddine Tawil, head of the Council of Muslim Scholars, posted on Facebook: "As we await the crescent moon of Shawwal, heralding the end of Ramadan and the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, our eyes and hearts turn towards Mecca. There, at the Holy Kaaba, we find our unity and guidance. In these blessed days, we suddenly hear the voices of 'fatwa councils' here and there, attempting to sow confusion. But let's be honest: when This concerns the sighting of the crescent moon of Dhul-Hijjah to determine the Day of Arafah, Eid al-Adha, and the start of the Hajj season. These voices have no authority. They cannot change the direction of prayer or move the Kaaba, no matter how much they secretly wish they could.

Leave the Muslims alone Let's not be distracted by division, and let's focus on our true purpose: celebrating our successes in Ramadan, increasing our supplications, and strengthening our relationship with God and with one another. In response to a question from one of his followers, who asked, "For example, if the crescent moon is sighted in Belgium but not in Saudi Arabia, should we fast with Belgium or Saudi Arabia?" Sheikh Nour Eddine replied, "Firstly, we don't have a single committee in Belgium with expertise in sighting the crescent moon, under the supervision of a legitimate authority that monitors the results of the sighting. How can we confirm the sighting?" In his Friday sermon two days ago in Antwerp, in the north of the country, the imam of the Al-Nasr wal-Fath Mosque wept on the pulpit as he spoke about the division that has afflicted the Muslim community. He explained that differing opinions regarding the sighting of the crescent moon are normal between countries, but for this to lead to division and disagreement among Muslims in the same country is a grave matter. He warned of the repercussions this will have on new generations of Muslims in the diaspora when they see their parents and grandparents divided over the sighting of the crescent moon and the determination of the start of fasting or the celebration of Eid. He pointed to the importance of respecting the opinions of scholars and specialists, unifying the word, and adhering to the sighting of the crescent moon. He was referring to the Scientific Council in Belgium, which had previously determined Thursday as the beginning of Ramadan and not fasting simply because the crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. In contrast, a statement was issued by Imam Nour Eddine Al-Tawil, who had previously announced... Wednesday marks the beginning of Ramadan, following the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based on the opinion of the Council of Muslim Scholars, headed by Imam Nur al-Din. The statement reads: "We declare unequivocally: in the worship of God, there is no place for astronomical calculations alone. We are a nation commanded to observe the new moon according to Islamic law. We worship God based on clear and authentic texts, not on conjecture and estimations.

For us, the beginning of the month is confirmed by the actual visual sighting of the new moon, through specialized committees possessing accumulated experience and integrity. These committees must be under the supervision of an officially mandated body representing the Muslim community, to ensure order and prevent chaos.

We in Europe are well aware that we lack a unified, universally mandated Supreme Islamic Judicial Council. This places a great responsibility upon us: to overcome our divisions and unite under the strongest and most established authority.

For this reason, and in the face of this organizational vacuum, we call for unity and a return to the original principle:

We fast with Mecca and break our fast with it.
Why Mecca? Because it is the Qibla of Muslims, the cradle of the message, and the source from which the light of Islam emanated. It is there that the conditions for the sighting of the new moon are met." It is fully structured and possesses accumulated expertise through its committees, which are approved by the highest authorities. Do not allow any council or entity, here or there, to philosophize about a clearly defined religious practice.

The religion is easy, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Fast when you see the crescent and break your fast when you see it."

Let us align our sighting with the sighting in Mecca, preserving the unity of Muslims and avoiding division.

In past decades, Belgium relied on the work of the Muslim Executive to determine the beginning of Ramadan and the days of Eid, and to manage the affairs of the Muslim community in various matters. However, the Belgian authorities decided years ago to suspend the Executive's work due to alleged irregularities, and elections have not yet been held to choose a new council to manage the affairs of the Muslim community in Belgium.