day Muslim World League conference on lunar months and astronomical calculations concluded here Sunday. Scholars of Islam and astronomy held discussions and defended their views on the subject. Islamic scholars defended the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), which they said is the source of Islamic law and which legislates Muslims to sight the moon to determine religious duties and festivals such as fasting in Ramadan, Haj and Eid. They said the directives in the Shariah should not be abandoned. The scholars of astronomy said their calculations on the appearance of the moon are very accurate and that there can be no mistake in them. The modern equipment for calculating astronomical details should be trusted, they said. Others suggested combining and making use of both methods as a way out. The conference was attended by Sheikh Abdul Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki, Secretary General of MWL, Sheikh Saleh Bin Abdul Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, and scholars of other Muslim countries. Al-Turki said during the inauguration the meeting had been called to deliberate on the issue of astronomical calculations. Scholars discussed if calculations could be used to unite the Muslim Ummah in determining the fast of Ramadan, Haj and the two Eids. The Grand Mufti said that Islam had defined that the beginning and ending of the fast depends on the sighting of the crescent, and that the Muslim Ummah has always followed this. Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Taqi Osmani, said the meeting was being held to end differences and unite the Ummah under one banner. __
