The Board of Senior Ulema dismissed the idea of determining the beginning of Ramadan with astronomic calculations without visibly sighting the month's crescent, Al-Madina reported. The Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Sheikh, said astronomic calculations are based on mathematical equations and are not acceptable in terms of fasting. He said the Prophet's (pbuh) Hadith of “Fast at its sighting” and the one of “Do not fast until you sight it” were clear and decisive. The Board finished discussing the issue last Tuesday and concluded to continue depending on sighting the crescent since only three members agreed on using the mathematical calculations instead.
