RAMADAN AND SHAWWAL 1440 (2019)

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.” Qur’an 2: 183

Assalamualaykum
The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) recognizes astronomical calculation as an acceptable Shar’i method for determining the beginning of Lunar months including the months of Ramadan and Shawwal. FCNA uses the criteria of European Council of Fatwa and Research (ECFR), which are that somewhere on the globe, at the sunset, the elongation should be at least 8 degrees and moon should be at least 5 degrees above horizon. If these conditions are met, the new crescent will be visible somewhere on earth. Hence the new lunar month will start the next day, otherwise it will start on the day following next day.
On the basis of this method the dates of Ramadan and Eid-ul Fitr for the year 1440 AH are established as follows:
Ramadan 1440 AH
The Astronomical New Moon is on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 22:47 Universal Time. On that day, there is no place on earth where at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore Ramadan cannot start on the next day. Hence first day of Ramadan 1440 is on Monday, May 6, 2019, insha’Allah. First Tarawih prayer will be on Sunday night.
Eid ul-Fitr 1440 AH
The Astronomical New Moon is on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 10:03 Universal Time. On that day, near Miami, Florida at sunset the elongation is 8 degrees and moon is 5 degrees above the sun. Therefore the first day of Shawwal 1440 is Tuesday, June 4, 2019, insha’Allah.
May Allah (swt) keep us on the right path and accept our fasting and prayers. Ameen.
FIQH COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA