To fast or not to fast: Eid confusion in Indonesia

Now that there is funny.

If you can't figure out what day you are supposed to end your biggest Holiday/celebration/religious event, then you may be a Muslim in Indonesia.

I thought Islam was very much into Astronomy and science? You would think they would not have a problem figuring out what phase the moon is in.


(Reuters)
- Indonesia's government has declared that the moon is not in the right position for the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan to end as expected on Tuesday, causing hungry disappointment in the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Indonesians, 90 percent of whom are Muslim, celebrate the end of Ramadan or Eid al-Fitr festival with a feast and new clothes, but they have been forced to put their delicacies back in the cupboard for one more day.

Housewife Nur Arifah did not expect the announcement, which came late on Monday, and got up early that day to cook plenty of stewed beef for her family in Jakarta.

"My nephews and nieces have all gathered in my father's house to celebrate with new clothes, yet it's the wrong day.

"The market has already shut, so for me to be able to cook a new dish...we might as well eat instant noodles for Eid al-Fitr," she said.

Many other Muslims who were set to start eating during the day returned to fasting between sunrise and sunset on Tuesday, while shopping malls pushed their closing holiday to Wednesday.

The position of the moon determines the start and end of Ramadan, and astronomers and Muslim bodies told the Indonesian government the moon was too low to herald Eid al-Fitr.

Its That Time Again !

You Know you couldn't wait either,its Ramadan time My friends.

the collapse of the ruling National Democratic Party, brought down by the popular uprising and the ouster of Hosni Mubarak as president, has meant that one of the biggest distributors of charity is gone.

Oh yeah you know what that means, Its hot, no assistance to be seen anywhere, its really hot and so is Achmeds and Mohamheads temper.

I would hate to predict a body count, but I do believe there will be one; we are talking about Ramadan.

The Globe and Mail
Uprisings in the Arab world promise to make this year’s Ramadan a holiday unlike any before.

Ramadan in Cairo, which starts Monday, always has meant fasting by day and partying by night – a big slowdown in economic output and a big upturn in late-evening festivities, as well as an orgy of gift-giving and lots and lots of family time.

This year, however, the month-long religious holiday will have its share of political winners and losers as well.

The fact that it comes this year in the middle of summer only amplifies the holiday effects since fasting, even from drinking water, takes a greater toll in the heat.

Along with the economic downturn and rising food prices, this means that more people than ever will be turning to charity to provide them with evening meals and foodstuffs.

However, the collapse of the ruling National Democratic Party, brought down by the popular uprising and the ouster of Hosni Mubarak as president, has meant that one of the biggest distributors of charity is gone.